Dozens of seconds later.

The spiritual line in Kongchi's hand swept back and disappeared.

He knelt on the ground, panting heavily, as the final state on his body naturally dissipated.

He was already unable to sustain such a huge expenditure.

Everything around returned to quiet once more.

At that moment, the hull had already tilted to seventy degrees.

Zhang Rongfang gently landed behind him, standing firm, as if at the start, unscathed, and even his stamina seemed untouched.

"Is it over?" He quietly looked at Kongchi.

"Hehe..." Kongchi knelt on the ground and suddenly dashed in one direction.

Bang!

He rushed into a room on the ship.

Zhang Rongfang was about to follow closely.

Suddenly his expression changed slightly, abruptly retreating in the opposite direction and leaping out, plunging towards the sea from a broken opening.

Boom!!!

In an instant, a fierce blaze exploded out from the room Kongchi dashed into, instantly sweeping over half of the white ship's hull.

It also wrapped Zhang Rongfang, who was still plunging through the air, into it.

It was explosives!!

There was an unknown amount of explosives hidden on the white ship.

Now Kongchi had completely detonated them.

The fire quickly ignited on the hull.

Poof.

A large mass of silver lines danced out, then plunged into the sea from the other side.

The silver lines slowly floated and rapidly gathered into the shape of Kongchi.

He floated in the water, naked all over, motionless, awaiting resurrection after death.

Detonating explosives at close range, even for a Grandmaster, means death with no survival.

But this was his trump card.

As long as no one could instantly kill him, then this move was useful.

At worst, they would all explode and die together once.

And now, he had achieved his goal.

Dozens of seconds later, Kongchi slowly opened his eyes, quickly swimming up from the water.

"I won!! Hahahahaha!! Aren't you arrogant!? But I'm the one who survived in the end, isn't it!?" Kongchi laughed triumphantly.

Looking at the white ship that's gradually burning, with most of its hull sunk, he felt relieved; the oppression and threat he felt finally got released.

Indeed, he witnessed that person being swallowed by flames; just now, his setup and arrangement had finally removed a formidable enemy unseen in his life!

Isn't it worth being proud!?

The terrifying peculiarity of that person was unlike anything he had faced even in the past with Grandmasters.

Grandmasters merely had stronger brute force.

But that person just now....

That kind of bone-chilling threat... Kongchi felt he might never forget in his lifetime.

"I deserve this! In terms of strength, I may not match top Grandmasters, but I won't lose! Won't die!! This is the victory!! As long as I live longer than you all! I'm the strongest!"

Kongchi laughed aloud, with tears streaming down.

Poof.

Suddenly, a large hand silently locked his throat from behind.

The palm was wide and rough, just enough to completely encircle his neck now.

Kongchi's laughter abruptly ceased.

His heart thumped fiercely, stiffly, slowly turning his head.

Amid the crunching sounds of neck bones moving.

He saw that Zhang Ying, who should have died in the flame explosion, was unbelievably unharmed right behind him!

"You..... you you you you you!?"

Kongchi opened his mouth, already starting to babble incoherently.

His heart began to collapse.

Once more.

He once more experienced the despair faced when, as a mortal back then, unable to kill a divine martial artist.

"Aren't you very happy?" Zhang Rongfang smiled, apart from the ends of his long hair being a bit singed, there was no trace of injury on him.

No, perhaps there were injuries before, but had since healed and recovered.

"No... I'm not happy... I'm regretful! Regretful!!" Kongchi urgently returned.

At this moment, his scalp tingled, in a state worse than ever; if killed again....

"Your heart is broken..." Zhang Rongfang could feel the opponent's aura quickly declining.

When a Grandmaster's mindset is broken, their physical condition rapidly deteriorates.

This change is very subjective; emotions affecting the body, and insufficient mental focus, reactions won't be swift.

These are all major taboos for martial artists.

With the same strength and speed, if one hesitates for a moment, they can't exert their full power.

Thus, they will be defeated.

"It's over."

Zhang Rongfang gently applied pressure to his palm.

Chh!

Fingertips pierced into blood vessels, a large amount of blood rushed into his body.

The singed long hair began to grow again and repair, under the sunlight reflecting a faint pearl-like luster.

This was something Zhang Rongfang didn't anticipate.

'Devouring qi and blood has such an effect?' he understood in his heart.

Given this, if severely injured in the future, he could swiftly seize the enemy and replenish their qi and blood for himself.

In less than ten seconds, Kongchi's whole body swiftly shrank.

His eyes lost their vivacity.

He tried to struggle, but weak and helpless, Zhang Rongfang firmly locked him in place, unable to move.

Until at last, he was entirely shriveled, and then his heart was crushed again with a single blow.

He was completely turned to black ash, scattered in the seawater.

Without using Blood Lotus, relying on the enhanced physical state, stacking three Extreme States, plus tenfold weight.

He resolved to kill a Grandmaster of the Worship Sect.

Zhang Rongfang felt satisfied in his heart.

Originally, he thought he would need to use the Blood Lotus.

But now it seems, even without the Blood Lotus State, he could forcefully kill the opponent.

Actually, it was only at the very last moment, when caught in the explosion, that he entered the Blood Lotus State for an instant.

The purpose of this test had already been achieved.

Silencing him, coupled with testing his strength.

Looking at the ship completely submerged and sinking into the sea in the distance.

Zhang Rongfang flipped over and dove into the sea, chasing in the direction of the Feiyun.

It took a full ten seconds later.

In the distance, a head slowly emerged from the sea surface.

The person was precisely the bespectacled monk who had previously incited Kong Chi.

At the very first moment when the fight began, he jumped into the sea to save his life.

While Zhang Rongfang and Kong Chi were fighting, he hid far away.

Seeing the outcome decided, only then did he surface from the water.

Hui Cheng spat out the metal breathing tube from his mouth, this slender metal tube was the fundamental reason he could hide for so long in the sea.

At this moment, looking at the direction Zhang Rongfang left in, his eyes were filled with shock and amazement.

"I didn't expect... didn't expect that Zhang Ying actually doesn't need anyone's protection!

No wonder so many masters from the Western Sect died at Citong. No wonder he dares to travel alone!

So that's how it is... that's how it is!"

Understanding suddenly dawned upon him, silently marveling at Zhang Ying's depth of concealment, unimaginable to others.

At the same time, he secretly rejoiced that an accidental thought had unexpectedly yielded such great intelligence.

'In the alliance, perhaps this intelligence can be utilized to gain significant benefit.... As long as it's used properly.... it's entirely possible to stir up full-scale conflict between the Western Sect and the Great Dao Teaching.'

Instantly, his heart ignited with excitement, he turned and swam towards another predetermined direction.

Though this seemed like a vast ocean, their people in the Righteous Alliance had long made arrangements, so...

Thud.

Hui Cheng's body suddenly stopped, incredulously he lowered his head, staring dumbfounded at his left chest.

There, a wooden spike had pierced through his heart from the back, protruding from the front chest.

Meanwhile, several tens of meters behind him, Zhang Rongfang smiled, withdrew his hand, and slowly sank, disappearing from the sea surface.

Originally, this time he intended to investigate who had leaked his whereabouts.

But in the end, Zhang Rongfang decided to give up.

In this world, there are no absolute secrets.

As long as there are people, as long as there is interaction, secrets are bound to leak.

Rather than wasting energy on this, it's better to eliminate all those who dare to encroach on him all the way.

Now, he already has this confidence.

*

*

*

Three days later.

Kyushu Port.

The Feiyun slowly sailed into the harbor.

At the ship's railing, Zhang Rongfang mingled among a group of passengers, looking at the chaotic scene on the dock ashore.

Laborers, passengers boarding and disembarking, resembling colorful ants continuously moving up and down.

Vehicles loading and unloading cargo, the huge cargo containers looked like long creatures being carried by ants, slowly moving towards the distance, while also approaching here.

"This is Kyushu Port. What are your plans next, Brother Zhang?" Yan Zheng came over with his daughter to bid farewell.

Over the past few days, he and Zhang Rongfang had gotten along quite well. The two had similar viewpoints on many things, chatting often with a feeling of having met late.

It even led to Zhang Rongfang acknowledging Yan Ni as his niece.

Although Nini strongly objected, it was ultimately decided this way.

"I plan to explore the surrounding areas, as traveling around is about seeing different places." Naturally, Zhang Rongfang wouldn't say he was heading to Wushan Prefecture.

"If you're exploring around, be sure to be cautious of mountain bandits. But, this being the Mountain Province, it's much safer compared to the areas around Qingchuan. Given your skills that you've had no problem in Qingchuan, here it's even safer." Yan Zheng laughed.

"Thank you for your kind words, Brother Yan." Zhang Rongfang smiled.

"Younger Brother Yan, we're disembarking too. Thanks for your warm hospitality these days, when you have the chance to visit Wushan Prefecture, be sure to come to the Kong family!" The middle-aged man who had previously brought his two children now approached with a smile.

"Thank you for your kindness, Brother Kong, I'll certainly take the chance!" Yan Zheng replied with a smile and clasped fists.

"By the way." Yan Zheng suddenly recalled something, looking towards Zhang Rongfang, "This Brother Kong is going to Wushan City, Mountain Province's capital, if you don't have anything planned, you could go with them to Wushan, and then visit other places. With a group, you can look out for each other for safety. How about it?"

"There's no need for that. I'm used to being carefree, coming and going freely." Zhang Rongfang declined politely. "Besides, I tend to meddle, and am embroiled in a bit of trouble, it's inconvenient to involve others."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zheng, who was originally inclined to persuade, nodded understandingly and said no more.

However, the three from the Kong family.

The three of them originally didn't have a good impression of Zhang Rongfang, especially the young daughter, Kong Siyan, who, due to a misunderstanding about a previous eavesdropping incident, felt that Zhang Rongfang had a vicious appearance, not seeming like a good person.

But hearing this, her perception of him changed significantly.

Thinking from her own perspective, if they were the ones in trouble, encountering such an opportunity, they'd likely strive to conceal further, having more people around them.

Someone like Zhang Rongfang, unwilling to involve others, yet candidly informing them, was indeed rare.

Instantly, Kong Yuhui developed a favorable impression of him too.

"No problem. Our convoy has plenty of empty seats, traveling together can ensure safety. Brother Zhang, don't worry about any trouble."

"Indeed, indeed!" The straightforward young daughter, Kong Siyan, feeling a bit guilty for possibly misjudging Zhang Rongfang's character earlier, promptly spoke up.

"Don't worry, Brother Zhang, elsewhere our Kong family might not be significant. But here in the Mountain Province, any trouble that arises, once you're here, it'll have to be restrained! Don't worry, come along with us, and you'll be safe!"

"Thank you for your kindness, but...." Zhang Rongfang tried to speak.

"Are you concerned about the journey being too slow? Rest assured, we're all fast carriages, much faster than ordinary ones. From Kyushu Port to Wushan is a familiar route we've traveled numerous times, it'll only take two days to arrive." Kong Yuhui smiled and gestured.

"Speaking of which, if you've got trouble, we actually have something bothering us too. Our issue is certainly bigger than yours, so combining forces, we can provide mutual help, strengthening our resolve, right?

Seeing Brother Zhang seems to be a martial artist, perhaps we might have to rely on your assistance at times. This way, we also get an advantage."

His words were intended to yield some comfort to Zhang Rongfang.

In reality, they did indeed have some trouble, but it wasn't difficult to handle. Instead, they could assist him in dealing with his minor issue.

"As Brother Kong has put it this way, then I'll respectfully accept the offer." Zhang Rongfang clasped his fists.

"Good, good!" Kong Yuhui, being a person who loved to associate with heroic spirits, was immediately delighted.

"Speaking of which, Brother Zhang has practiced martial arts from a young age, surely his skills are extraordinary, traveling together this time, we consider ourselves fortunate."

"Brother Kong is joking. In fact, I'm a pharmacist, practicing martial arts just for some basic skills, it's for health and body conditioning." Zhang Rongfang disclosed his outwardly hidden normal identity.

"Pharmacist!?" The few were surprised.