Chapter 86

A crisis was approaching. The group’s expressions were grim, and even the usually composed Shenqi siblings looked solemn. This was no trivial matter—there was a real possibility that they might not emerge unscathed from the next devastating attack.

However, Ning Xu showed no signs of tension.

These treasures were definitely strong enough to withstand the attack. Otherwise, the Melon-Eating System wouldn’t be acting so indifferent.

At that moment, the Melon-Eating System spoke up.

【Host, it’s coming.】

Everyone tensed.

The strike from the powerful demon cultivator carried their full strength, imbued with an earth-shattering force.

The wind stopped.

Even time itself seemed to freeze.

In that brief second, Ning Xu could hear the slow, heavy beats of her own heart, one after another.

Under such immense pressure, even her movements became sluggish.

The instant she activated her defensive treasures, the first barrier was obliterated by the overwhelming energy.

Fortunately, she had more than one defensive treasure. Before the attack even landed, she had activated every single one she had. The Shenqi siblings weren’t just standing by idly either—they had pulled out their most prized protective artifacts as well.

One barrier after another shattered in succession.

Only the very last one managed to barely hold on.

Even though Ning Xu had already known that this attack wouldn’t take her life, she was still deeply shaken.

This was the first time she had directly experienced an attack from a powerful cultivator. If the strike hadn’t been aimed primarily at someone else, and had already weakened significantly by the time it reached them, they likely wouldn’t have survived.

This wasn’t comparable to the minor skirmishes before. Against an overwhelming assault like this, lower-level cultivators had no chance of fighting back. In the face of high-level cultivators, low-level ones were as insignificant as ants.

At this moment, Ning Xu’s determination to grow stronger solidified.

Just as the atmosphere reached peak tension, a loud, arrogant voice echoed in their minds.

【Thrilling! Absolutely thrilling!】

Ning Xu let out a breath. “Yeah, that was intense.”

That feeling of being at someone else’s mercy—she never wanted to experience it again.

The others: …

【Hahahaha! Host, the fog is too thick, so you couldn’t see it clearly. Earlier, all those defensive treasures were activated like fireworks, one after another!】

【That old man from the Li family truly lives up to his title as the richest cultivator. The treasures he had on hand were no joke.】

【We had to use so many defensive artifacts just to survive that attack, but he only needed one.】

【Tsk, tsk. The Shenqi family really is in decline. Their treasures weren’t much better than yours.】

The Shenqi siblings, who had just been called out: …

If the Shenqi family were still at their peak, those master and disciple wouldn’t have dared to openly target Shenqi Dan’s life.

Thinking of their clan leader still in seclusion, the siblings’ expressions darkened further.

But given the situation, their grim faces didn’t stand out.

The only ones still able to laugh after surviving two powerful attacks were the Melon-Eating System and its carefree host.

【Host, one day, you’ll be able to do the same!】

Ning Xu responded, “I will!”

After the second attack, the mist over the island thickened further.

Taking advantage of the cover, Ning Xu’s group fled at full speed. The lingering pressure from the powerful cultivator’s strike still filled the air, slowing them down significantly due to their lower cultivation levels.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to run faster—the oppressive force covered the entire Star Peach City, severely hindering their escape.

Their expressions were tense, their bodies on high alert, not daring to relax for even a moment.

Meanwhile, the Melon-Eating System continued enthusiastically feeding Ning Xu gossip.

【Host, I’ve got a juicy one! Want to hear?】

Ning Xu: “Of course!”

Even in the middle of fleeing for her life, nothing could stop her from enjoying some good gossip.

The others: …

They were numb.

The Melon-Eating System excitedly shared, 【The Li family suffered a huge blow this time. Many of their younger generation are gone.】

【Honestly, the Li family’s love-struck fool really brought a wolf into their den this time.】

【Oh, by the way, remember how Li Shan was seriously injured before? When the second attack came, her dear uncle only cared about saving himself—he didn’t even spare her a single glance!】

While desperately running, Ning Xu asked, “And what happened to her?”

The Melon-Eating System replied nonchalantly, 【She’s gone.】

The others: ???

Gone?

Just like that, a major contender for the next head of the Li family was… gone?

So easily… just like that?

Even the Shenqi siblings were momentarily stunned.

Though unexpected, perhaps this was the best ending for Li Shan.

Even if she had survived, her actions wouldn’t withstand scrutiny. What awaited her wouldn’t be a bright future.

Speaking of twisted relationships, the Melon-Eating System eagerly continued, 【Li Shan’s relationship is officially over.】

【That dear uncle of hers isn’t even a man. When danger struck, he only cared about saving himself, completely ignoring her.】

【By comparison, Li Yu, despite his engagement, still looks somewhat decent. At least he protected his own sister the whole time, ensuring she didn’t suffer further injuries.】

【Meanwhile, his fiancée had no one to protect her. She barely survived thanks to her defensive artifacts, but… she’s disfigured now.】

【He was loyal to his sister, but he failed his fiancée.】

【This engagement is probably doomed.】

The Melon-Eating System’s tone carried a hint of schadenfreude. It thrived on juicy gossip.

Ning Xu: …

They say adversity reveals true colors. This Li family crisis certainly exposed a lot.

And unearthed plenty of gossip.

After digesting the scandalous drama of the Li family, Ning Xu eagerly asked about the Wu family and the Divine Maiden.

【The Wu family patriarch and the Divine Maiden are still alive.】

【As for the younger generation…】

【There were casualties.】

Hearing this, Wu Lüchen’s eyes reddened.

If not for the fact that he had to maintain his cover—making sure neither Ning Xu nor the Melon-Eating System realized they could hear its commentary—he might have already burst into tears.

He was close to most of the younger members of the Wu family. Who could have expected such a disaster from this supposedly straightforward visit to the Li family’s birthday banquet?

Then, the Melon-Eating System shifted gears again.

【But compared to the Li family, the Wu family’s losses aren’t as severe.】

Today, the Li family had suffered a devastating blow. It would likely take at least a hundred years for them to recover.

The Wu family, though wounded, could bounce back within a few years.

Ning Xu wanted to ask more about the Wu patriarch and the Divine Maiden’s condition.

The Melon-Eating System had only described them as “alive.”

That probably meant they weren’t doing too well either.

Just as she was about to inquire further, the Melon-Eating System suddenly exclaimed excitedly, 【Host! We’ve gained a few more mortal enemies!】

Ning Xu: “???”

She hadn’t even spread any gossip in the Three Thousand Realms Cultivator Exchange Area this time.

How had she gained more enemies again?

She had come to attend the birthday banquet of the cultivation world’s wealthiest man.

She hadn’t done anything outrageous, right?

Just as this thought crossed her mind, the very culprit responsible for provoking the demons into launching the second attack—Brother Pig—suddenly retreated into her spiritual beast pouch.

The moment he was inside, Brother Pig sprawled out lazily and immediately fell asleep, completely unconcerned about the chaos he had left behind.

A cultivator could recall their spirit beast from a distance, but similarly, a spirit beast could also voluntarily return to its pouch.

The demons realized too late that the pig had a master.

And the fact that it had returned to its owner meant that person was still alive.

Who was it?

Who dared to have a spirit beast steal their demon core fragments?

Who had the audacity to provoke them?

Ning Xu, now targeted by a horde of demons: …

Great.

At this point, what was one more debt?

She had already offended so many cultivators—what were a few more demons?

It was nothing.

Absolutely nothing!

The Melon-Eating System was ecstatic.

【Host, you gotta crush them all!】

Ning Xu: “Yeah! Crush them all!”

The others: …