Investment Return System, Start by taking Demon Empress as a Disciple

Chapter 140: Killing

Jiang Du never expected that the woman before him would strike so ruthlessly. They had barely exchanged a sentence or two, and she was already out for his life! However, within the Tower of Enlightenment, he had no chance to resist. If he were to fight back, his demise would only come quicker.

The thought of his original three legs, now reduced to two within the Tower of Enlightenment, fueled Jiang Du's growing hatred.

"Esteemed fairy, I truly haven't lied to you…" he began, his voice tinged with desperation.

"Should I have meant you any harm, while we were outside, I could have easily called upon the three elders of my family in the Void Refining Realm to capture you," he continued, attempting to reason with Leng Yanran.

Despite the seething resentment he felt, Jiang Du forced a smile, concealing the pain in his legs, and addressed Leng Yanran, "Esteemed fairy, please consider whether what I'm saying might be true."

"Plurp—" Leng Yanran didn't respond with words. Instead, another surge of malevolent energy shot toward his remaining left leg.

"Ahhh!!!"

Jiang Du gasped, the pain sending a shiver down his spine, and beads of sweat dripped relentlessly from his forehead.

Behind the enigmatic Leng Yanran, several Tower Spirits observed their new master's resolute demeanor, silently noting that it would be wise not to offend her in the future.

Such ruthlessness…

Leng Yanran's gaze remained unyielding as she spoke, "Since you're unwilling to talk, let's leave it at that."

Seeing the determined look in her eyes, Jiang Du's panic escalated. She really intended to kill him! She paid no heed to the three Elders of the Void Refining Realm waiting outside. This Northern Domain Empress was daring enough to take his life!

"Wait, I'll say, I'll say!"

Jiang Du hastily surrendered. He couldn't afford to be stubborn any longer.

At the very least, he had to survive until he left the Tower of Enlightenment. Once he did, he could rely on his family's influence to deal with this detestable Northern Domain Empress.

Hearing his submission, Leng Yanran dispersed the ominous energy that had gathered on her fingertip. A fraction of a breath later, and Jiang Du would have become a lifeless corpse.

"In truth…" Jiang Du's voice wavered, "I never intended to oppose you, Fairy. I sensed the purest essence of demonic blood within you."

He continued, his tone urgent, "I surmise that you might be a descendant of the exiled royal family of the Western Domain's demon race. I would never dare to challenge you!"

Jiang Du quickly added, his fear evident. "If the current royal family were to discover my actions, the Jiang Clan would not survive their wrath!"

One of Jiang Du's initial suspicions was that Leng Yanran was a bastard of the royal family. However, he was now convinced she was an orphan of the fallen dynasty. Yet, he refrained from voicing this certainty; preserving his life was of paramount importance.

As expected, Leng Yanran remained silent after hearing his explanation, her brows furrowing in contemplation. The purity of her demonic heritage was undeniable, but her knowledge of the current Western Domain's royal family was limited.

"If you doubt my words, you can question my three uncles. Or, accompany me back to the Western Domain and meet the royal family in person," Jiang Du persisted, his sincerity resonating in his voice.

"I hail from the Jiang Clan, a second-tier family in the Western Domain. I would never deceive a member of the royal family."

Seeing Leng Yanran falter, Jiang Du seized the opportunity to continue. His eyes brimmed with earnestness as he spoke, and he went so far as to kneel before her, ignoring the excruciating pain in his legs caused by the dissipating energy.

"Jiang Du pays respects to a royal lineage!"

His audacious display rendered the onlookers speechless.

This guy...he's incredibly daring!

"Very well," Leng Yanran relented, her urgency to end his life abating. "I'll spare your life for now. But remember, if I find out you've deceived me…"

She left the threat hanging, her expression inscrutable.

Leng Yanran decided to probe further. If his claims were true, killing him now would be unwise. With three remaining lifelines within the Tower of Enlightenment, she had yet to use her joint-attack ability, which was formidable enough to eliminate the three Void Refining Realm cultivators outside.

With a single thought, Leng Yanran, accompanied by her junior sister and Jiang Du, materialized outside the Tower of Enlightenment.

The sudden appearance of the trio reinvigorated the various factions that had been waiting with waning interest.

"They're out!"

"I wonder how they fared."

"Judging from their swift return, they likely only reached the fourth level but failed to clear its challenges."

"Indeed, upon passing the fourth level, one can cultivate within the Tower of Enlightenment for a year, while only a month elapses outside," came the realization from the Eastern Domain's myriad factions, their conjectures ignited upon the trio's appearance.

They harbored a collective suspicion that these three had not triumphed over the Qi Sea Trial on the fourth level. Had they succeeded, they wouldn't have reappeared for at least another month.

"Nephew! How did you sustain such injuries? Who dared to harm you? Was it you, this scion of the fallen dynasty, who harmed my nephew!?"

In the wake of the trio's return, concern filled the air. The wounded state of the young man raised eyebrows and led to accusatory questions, his identity as a descendant of the previous empire creating an immediate divide.

As the three Void Refining Realm cultivators of the Jiang Clan caught sight of Jiang Du's figure, they were momentarily stunned. Soon, their attention shifted to his almost crippled legs, from which eerie energies emanated ceaselessly.

Among the trio, Leng Yanran, shrouded in an aura of deathly chill, naturally became the target of their suspicion.

"Uncles, save me!"

In a split second after his appearance, Jiang Du cried out for help with all his might. He had intended to feign injury and manipulate the situation, hoping to lure Leng Yanran to the Western Domain before making his move.

However, his plan fell apart as his uncles immediately labeled her a scion of the fallen dynasty. There was no way he could carry on with this charade.

"Reckless scum, begone! How dare you harm a descendant of the Jiang Clan!"

One of the Void Refining Realm powerhouses shouted, flinging his sleeve and launching an attack to repel Leng Yanran, planning to rescue Jiang Du. But as the energy brushed past, it shattered Leng Yanran's form into remnants. Only to reappear behind Jiang Du in the next instant.

Leng Yanran's face turned icy, infuriated by the audacity of this man's deception. Just as the Void Refining Realm expert was about to reach Jiang Du and save him, their intentions were cut short.

Both figures now exuded joy, especially Jiang Du, who had suffered much within the Tower of Enlightenment. His confidence and vigor as a scion of the Jiang Clan were rekindled.

"Splat—"

The tip of a spear emerged from Jiang Du's chest, leaving him staring down in shock at the gaping wound. The Jiang Clan's Void Refining Realm expert, who had made it to Jiang Du's side, was witness to a scene that would haunt his nightmares.

"Nephew!!"

Shock and fury overcame Void Refining Realm expert, who extended his hand to grab Jiang Du, aiming to save him.

"Disgusting cur, you got off easy, living this long." Leng Yanran muttered to herself, her voice cold as she gave her God Slaying Spear a brisk shake.

"Boom!"

Jiang Du's eyes filled with terror. He barely had time to call for help before he exploded into a mist of blood, severed between Leng Yanran and the Void Refining Realm powerhouse.