"Jiao Long, have you lost your mind?"
Xu Ji, the Earth Advance Star, never expected that their plan to plead with Jiang Yuan would end with Jiao Long's explosive temper attacking a fourth-rank judicial official!
"Jiao Long, this official holds the Jade Emperor's personally bestowed divine artifact, the [Soul-Suppressing Ruler]. Beholding this ruler is like the Jade Emperor himself descending! Kneel at once!"
Jiang Yuan sidestepped Jiao Long's attack, raising the [Soul-Suppressing Ruler] high as he shouted at him.
Blinded by rage, Jiao Long ignored Jiang Yuan's warning and struck out with a palm!
Boom!
Jiang Yuan rolled to dodge as a light palm formed from immortal power slammed into a pillar in the hall, snapping it in half!
"Jiao Long violently resists the law and attacks an immortal official! Men, seize him immediately!"
Dodging Jiao Long's palm, Jiang Yuan raised the Soul-Suppressing Ruler and bellowed at the几名衙役 below. Several officers charged at Jiao Long with their cudgels.
Seizing the moment, Jiang Yuan summoned a sacred beast, the Black Tortoise, and cast a Water Healing Shield on himself, granting a barrier that could absorb 7.5 million damage. Then he swung the [Soul-Suppressing Ruler] in a full arc toward Jiao Long's head!
Smack!
As the ruler came crashing down, Jiao Long tilted his head slightly, and it struck his shoulder, dealing minimal damage!
Unfortunately, as a summoner, Jiang Yuan's entire offensive power relied on his summoned beasts. His personal attack was only around 15,000, and even with the [Soul-Suppressing Ruler]'s 115% boost to his base attack, he barely dealt 20,000 damage!
"A mere loose immortal, and that's all you've got? Take this!"
Seeing Jiang Yuan's pitiful damage, Jiao Long sneered, flashed in front of him, and punched him square in the face.
Smack!
Jiang Yuan flew backward and crashed heavily to the ground. Jiao Long's punch dealt over 2 million damage!
Thankfully, Jiang Yuan had wisely chosen to summon the defensive Black Tortoise instead of the attack-focused Vermilion Bird, giving himself a shield. Otherwise, that punch would have cost him two hundred lives!
[Earth Yin Star: Jiao Long] Level: 200 Realm: First-Grade Earth Immortal HP: 500 million (Target level gap too large; unable to retrieve full information)
Glancing at the opponent's stats, Jiang Yuan froze. No wonder Jiao Long called him a "mere loose immortal"—he was a 200-level Earth Immortal!
[Court Officer A] Level: 150 Realm: Fourth-Grade Loose Immortal HP: 300 million Attack: 2 million Defense: 2 million
Looking at his own subordinate, Officer A, Jiang Yuan suddenly felt utterly inferior!
His own underlings were stronger than him—how was he supposed to survive?
It made sense, though. Most of Jiang Yuan's gear was still from the mortal realm. Since ascending to the immortal realm, aside from the divine artifact and a seal he couldn't yet use, he hadn't obtained a single usable piece of equipment!
But at least the four officers—A, B, C, and D—had decent stats. Their cudgels rained down on Jiao Long, each dealing impressive damage of two to three million!
"Jiao Long, stop this now! Show some respect to the judicial official!"
Beneath the hall, the rational Xu Ji refrained from joining the fight, shouting desperately to calm Jiao Long.
But Jiao Long, now fully enraged, ignored Xu Ji's pleas. He punched Officer C flying and turned to say, "Mind your own business! I'm going to enjoy this fight today!"
"Corrupt official! Take my fist!"
With a roar, Jiao Long lunged forward and drove his fist into Jiang Yuan's chest. A surge of force rippled through the Water Healing Shield, absorbing over a million damage!
"Black Tortoise Secret Art: Water Annihilates the Eight Wastelands!"
Jiang Yuan commanded the Black Tortoise to unleash its ultimate skill while repeatedly smacking Jiao Long with the [Soul-Suppressing Ruler].
But to his frustration, the supposed 20% chance to instantly kill the target never triggered, even after a dozen hits!
"Is this thing fake?"
Staring at the [Soul-Suppressing Ruler], Jiang Yuan sank into deep self-doubt.
The chase continued from the hall to the courtyard, with flowers and plants reduced to dust by the clash of immortal power.
"Bold Jiao Long, how dare you attack an immortal official! Fear not, Officer Jiang—I'm here!"
Just then, a shout came from outside the gate. It was the immortal realm's security captain, Jade Spirit Official, returning from his house arrest. Hearing the commotion, he led his men to assist!
"Jade Spirit Official, perfect timing! Help me apprehend this man!"
Jiang Yuan turned to see the captain and immediately called for aid!
As a fifth-rank official, Jade Spirit Official's realm far surpassed Jiao Long's. He drew his sword and thrust it at the Earth Yin Star!
Facing an opponent a full realm above him, Jiao Long dared not be careless. He halted his attack on Jiang Yuan and sidestepped the sword strike.
Seizing the moment when Jiao Long was off-balance, Jade Spirit Official kicked him in the side, sending him stumbling!
Smack! -20 million!
A damage number appeared above Jiao Long's head, making Jiang Yuan clap in excitement, shouting "Nice!"
With Jade Spirit Official joining the fray, Jiao Long's pressure skyrocketed, and his HP bar plummeted to under 400 million!
"Corrupt official, even if I die today, I'm taking you with me!"
Realizing he couldn't escape, Jiao Long channeled all his fury at Jiang Yuan, charging straight at him!
At that moment, Jiang Yuan's summoned Black Tortoise expired, fading away along with his Water Shield!
"Soul-Suppressing Strike!"
In the nick of time, Jiang Yuan instinctively used the artifact's skill, and something unexpected happened!
"Ah! I'll haunt you even in death..."
Jiao Long screamed as his remaining 300 million HP vanished instantly. His cry of defiance cut short, he collapsed and died!
"Damn! I killed an immortal?"
The instant kill effect of the [Soul-Suppressing Ruler] finally triggered. Jiang Yuan stared at Jiao Long's corpse, a deep fear washing over him!
This was his first immortal kill since ascending!
[Ding! Congratulations on defeating Earth Yin Star Jiao Long. Rewards: 1000 Taiji Golden Pills! 100 Immortal Crystals! 1 Primordial Orb!]
A pile of light pillars scattered on the ground, the lowest glowing red, with three five-colored beams!
[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining the super-mythical equipment "Earthly Fiend Star Necklace"!] [Ding! Congratulations on obtaining the super-mythical equipment "Demon-Slaying Twisted Gold Staff"!] [Ding! Congratulations on obtaining a super-mythical skill book!]
A series of notifications rang out, sweeping away Jiang Yuan's initial fear and replacing it with ecstatic joy!