Is this some kind of special grassland battle tactic? Increasing strength by slaughtering one’s own people? Du Chengfeng didn’t know.

He only knew that no matter what the enemy did, he needed to give it a try.

If he didn’t even dare to attempt the simplest effort, was his power merely for show?

After all, not every time would the enemy wait for you to be ready before taking action.

Therefore, act as you will, strike as you please. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"It really has nothing to do with anything else, I just want to try and see if I can kill you all, I really want to, that’s all."

Seeing Xiang Rong on the ground, still with that look of dying with unclosed eyes, Du Chengfeng couldn’t help but sigh.

"Of course, now it’s done... It feels great, like finally passing something through, light and joyful."

Saying this, Du Chengfeng reached out his hand, attempting to touch that fierce halberd.

Yes, though he claimed it was just because of that, the true reason for turning back was this halberd—the kind of weapon no man can resist, neither can anyone.

But Xiang Rong on the ground didn’t see these subtle movements, having already lost his sight due to excessive blood loss.

Yet his consciousness remained on the brief dialogue moments ago.

Was it just because of such a reason? Just because of such a reason?

Could such a reason alone disrupt his plan to revive the Great Chu?

Just because of this?

"How... is it possible..."

Blood seeped from Xiang Rong’s eyes.

Just because of such a reason, just because of this disgusting reason, could it really defeat his already reality-changing, strong will? Just because of such a reason, could this monster become stronger than him? Why? Why indeed?

Clearly, he had sacrificed so much for the revival of Great Chu... Clearly, he was supposed to be stronger!

"Such hatred..."

In his last moments, Xiang Rong’s eyes were wide open.

"I hate it so much!"

Boom—

Just as Du Chengfeng was about to touch the halberd, Xiang Rong, lying in the blood pool, suddenly exploded into a pillar of fire!

"Wha..."

The crimson fire pillar reeked of blood, startling Du Chengfeng into a swift retreat—he remembered well, this Xiang Rong of the grassland, the State Preceptor, had killed the monster-transformed Ruan Shantao with just two moves. At that time, Ruan Shantao was already rooted in the entirety of Ziyang Mountain, yet still was slain on the spot by Xiang Rong’s mysterious methods.

While fighting earlier, he wondered why Xiang Rong never used that terrifying technique until the very end, but now, it seemed...

"...Hmm?"

Seeing something protrude from the blood-red fire pillar, Du Chengfeng paused slightly.

What emerged from the blood-red pillar was not Xiang Rong’s hand, but a giant bird claw, followed by a second, third, and fourth... Four massive bird claws sharp as tempered steel blades, their size alone could easily grasp an ox!

Meanwhile, a piercing sound came from the mouth in the center of the bird claws.

"Such hatred, such hatred..."

The crimson fire pillar instantly turned pitch black.

Such hatred, such hatred—Xiang Rong never felt such profound hatred, hatred for the world’s injustice, hatred for the blind heavens, hatred for all things under the sun, he detested everything before him!

So, he could not die yet.

He hadn’t yet unleashed this profound hatred, hadn’t avenged the blood feud with the world, hadn’t revived the Great Chu, hadn’t achieved what he wished... He definitely couldn’t die, absolutely couldn’t die here!

Like the undying phoenix revered by the Chu people, even if the flame runs dry, he would be reborn in the blaze!

"I hate it so much!"

Eighteen pairs of steel wings tore through the flesh and spread out, blotting out the sky, with a rain of foul blood pouring from the air, accompanied by agonizing wails.

And Xiang Rong opened all four of his blind eyes, glaring fiercely at the only standing figure on the ground.

Pitch-black tail feathers fell upon the sky, sharp as tempered blade edges.