Wayfarer

Chapter 831: Madam Rouge Takes Action

High in the sky above the city of Yongding, Han Gucheng took down multiple layers of the defensive formation around Yongding in just two blows. His strength was formidable indeed.

A frightening blizzard spawned around Yongding.

"Again? Is Yongding some sort of disaster magnet? Boundless Immortals keep showing up to attack it!"

"This Boundless Immortal is terrifyingly strong. What are we going to do?"

"I should never have come to Yongding as a spy. My heart can't take it!"

Countless spies from various factions were filled with dread; in contrast, the bulk of the citizens remained calm. By now, they had grown used to such fights. They believed in Xiao Nanfeng and were certain that they would survive this crisis.

After Han Gucheng struck the city twice, he frowned suspiciously. Why hadn't Xiao Nanfeng shown up?

"Isn't Xiao Nanfeng in Yongding? That's even better. Now, break!" Han Gucheng shouted.

He punched forward once more. This time, his strike produced an endless vortex of ice and snow that swirled around his fist, like an army charging forward. It crashed into the final layer of Yongding's defensive formation. Even before the devastating blow landed, the barrier around Yongding was shaking violently.

At that moment, a delicate hand reached up from below and formed a seal with two fingers. The seal surged with a soft pink glow and was surrounded by countless peach blossom petals. It was beautiful, refined, and looked as if it wouldn't withstand any damage at all. Even so, as it struck Han Gucheng's technique, unparalleled force burst forth in a dazzling pink glow.

The clash of energies exploded into a storm of peach blossoms and snow that spread in a fierce blast across land and sky, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.

Amidst a series of deafening booms, the two techniques canceled each other out, leaving the city's defensive formation unscathed.

Startled, Han Gucheng shouted, "Who's there?"

He had anticipated that Yongding would be defended only by Xiao Nanfeng's avatar and whatever imperial might he could draw on. Who was this Boundless Immortal who had emerged out of nowhere? She was so powerful that she could block his empowered attack with just a casual move!

Emerging slowly from within the city was a woman in a dress adorned with peach blossoms, a stunning beauty whose gaze was filled with arrogant confidence. Her blend of beauty and dominance struck everyone with awe.

"Han Gucheng? You're in the wrong place," she said with a faint smile.

Han Gucheng narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

He felt a dangerous aura emanating from the mystery cultivator, a domineering aura he didn't feel even from saints—and from a woman, no less! Just who was this mysterious opponent?

"I'm a guest whom Xiao Nanfeng invited. I suggest you leave before I start to fight you in earnest, or I can't guarantee that you'll walk away alive."

The woman was, of course, Madam Rouge. Her gaze was cool and commanding. It was clear she considered Han Gucheng beneath her; she had complete confidence in herself.

Han Gucheng's face contorted in surprise. Just where had Xiao Nanfeng found such a powerful helper?

"I would advise you not to meddle in others' affairs, Miss," Han Gucheng replied coldly.

"Xiao Nanfeng has already promised me a reward, and I must secure it at any cost. I'm meddling whether you like it or not."

Down on the ground, Xiao Nanfeng had emerged from a hall to observe the fight. He frowned upon hearing Madam Rouge's words. What reward? He hadn't promised her anything! He would rather fight Han Gucheng on his own than sing for her!

Even so, with Madam Rouge already having engaged Han Gucheng, he could hardly interrupt now. He grumbled silently to himself.

"Did he promise you a reward? Very well. If you don't interfere, I'll give you ten times what he offered," Han Gucheng replied.

Ten times?

Xiao Nanfeng raised his eyebrows. Was Han Gucheng going to sing Madam Rouge a hundred songs? That would be a sight to behold.

Madam Rouge clearly seemed to be considering the same mental image. A look of disgust flashed across her face. "I don't want a reward from you. Get lost!"

Han Gucheng was momentarily stunned. How could she have rejected his offer?

"If you insist, then don't blame me for showing no mercy," he warned.

"Let's see what you've got, then," Madam Rouge replied coolly.

Han Gucheng narrowed his eyes. "You asked for it."

The world suddenly seemed to spin. A realm of endless snow manifested around him. The skies darkened; thick white snow blanketed the ground in mere moments.

Xiao Nanfeng narrowed his eyes. "A deific domain? But he's in his physical body. No—this feels like an Enlightenment Grounds."

His gaze sharpened as he eyed Han Gucheng.

With another gesture, Han Gucheng compacted the endless snow together into three towering snow giants, each hundreds of meters tall.

Though they were made of snow, they exuded the aura of Boundless Immortals.

It was as if Han Gucheng had summoned three Boundless Immortals to fight alongside him in an instant.

"Just what kind of technique is this...?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"This is your last chance to leave," Han Gucheng warned.

Madam Rouge chuckled at the sight before her. "I suppose you're rather skilled. You've already opened your Heartgate..."

"You know what I'm doing?" Han Gucheng suddenly narrowed his eyes.

Not everyone could refine their heart—early-stage Boundless Immortals wouldn't have access to the heart at all. Only middle- or late-stage Boundless Immortals could start cultivating the heart, and doing so would require both tremendous talent and a rare opportunity.How could the woman before him understand what he was doing?

"Your cultivation of the heart is rather crude," Madam Rouge replied, shaking her head dismissively.

"Let's see how long you can keep up that arrogance," Han Gucheng replied coldly.

With a gesture, he caused the three snow giants to roar and charge toward Madam Rouge.

Madam Rouge casually formed another seal with her hand and pointed upward. "A heart technique can only be countered with another. Now, grow."

Peach blossoms sprouted all over the snow giants, blooming and causing the compacted snow to crack.

"How can this be? Snowmen, grow!" Han Gucheng commanded.

Even more snow surged toward the snow giants. Their bodies grew larger and larger, with snow piling up to cover the blossoms. Even so, the peach blossoms continued to grow, emerging all over their bodies no matter how much snow Han Gucheng summoned. Soon, the snow giants were covered in dense layers of flowers; no snow could be seen at all.

"Impossible! Snowmen, attack!" Han Gucheng shouted.

"Disperse," Madam Rouge crooned, sweeping her hand expansively.

As the three snow giants closed in on Madam Rouge, they scattered in a shower of pink petals that filled the sky.

Han Gucheng gaped in horror.

No trace of snow had remained within the snow giants' bodies; everything had turned entirely into peach blossoms.

"Your cultivation of the heart is interesting, but you're no match for me." Madam Rouge smiled.

The peach blossoms into which the snow giants had transformed didn't all fall to the ground. Rather, they spread across the vast, snowy landscape, infecting the snow and turning it all into peach blossoms.

All the snow that came into contact with the peach blossoms exploded in a puff as new peach blossoms bloomed.

The entire realm of snow was quickly overtaken by peach blossoms, as if the flowers and snow were fighting for dominance over the realm.

This scene left the countless cultivators of Yongding utterly bewildered. They were unable to comprehend what they were seeing.

Han Gucheng's scalp pricked in horror. "Just who are you?!"

"Are you going to leave, or not?" Madam Rouge demanded.

Han Gucheng grimaced in a mix of defiance and hesitation. This woman's strength truly shook him to his core, but how could he leave so easily?

"If you won't reveal your identity, then so be it. I'd like to see just how strong you are," Han Gucheng declared. He charged toward Madam Rouge.

Madam Rouge's eyes grew cold. "More like you're so ignorant and inexperienced that you don't recognize who I am. If you want to die, then so be it."

Madam Rouge struck with her palm, summoning a whirlwind of peach blossoms that surged around her. A fierce storm swept toward Han Gucheng.

"Die!" Han Gucheng roared, punching forward.

A torrent of snow surged from his fists.

Palm and fist collided with a thunderous boom, creating a massive storm of snow and blossoms that erupted into a dazzling burst. The blast sent shockwaves through the void, causing it to ripple and warp. The intense light left many onlookers temporarily blinded.

As the shockwave subsided, Han Gucheng was sent flying. He tumbled thousands of meters before stabilizing himself.

Blood trickled from his mouth in disbelief as he turned to Madam Rouge, who still seemed to be treating everything casually.

"Your Majesty?" His subordinates rushed over to him.

"We're leaving!" Han Gucheng declared. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Without any hesitation, he and his subordinates fled toward the horizon.

Madam Rouge watched them leave thoughtfully, without giving chase.

Within moments, Han Gucheng and his subordinates had vanished into the horizon.

There, Han Gucheng spat out a few more mouthfuls of blood.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" one of his subordinates asked.

Han Gucheng wiped the blood from his mouth. He replied, "That woman is as strong as my main body. Where in the world did Xiao Nanfeng find such a formidable cultivator? Investigate her. I want to know exactly who she is!"

"Understood!" his subordinates replied.

Back in Yongding, after repelling Han Gucheng, Madam Rouge turned and flew back to the city. Her display had left countless people in shock and awe. Just who was this woman? Could she be the empress of Dazheng?

Madam Rouge returned to Xiao Nanfeng. Her arrogant demeanor faded away, replaced by an expectant smile. "There. I've sent him away. Don't forget the reward you promised me."

Xiao Nanfeng's face turned dour. Had he been tricked?