Seeing the magistrate transform into a gust of black wind and sweep toward him, Gojo further increased the output of his qi.
The originally azure lightning arcs surged violently, condensing into a massive, thick bolt.
"So, by absorbing those vengeful spirits, you've made yourself stronger?"
"This was your real goal all along?"
Gojo took a deep breath, lashing the lightning forward while simultaneously forcing pale-white currents into his own body.
The electricity coursed through his meridians, stimulating them—boosting the speed of his qi circulation, his strength, and even his physical speed.
"That's right!"
"After absorbing all those vengeful spirits, my power has reached its peak!"
The magistrate burst into laughter and swung his arm.
Whoosh!
With that motion, the black smoke filled with countless resentful souls surged like a dragon, crashing directly into Gojo's lightning.
At the moment of collision—
Brilliant light erupted.
The white lightning instantly annihilated the black smoke the magistrate had unleashed.
"What?!"
The magistrate's eyes widened in shock.
His attack had been erased so effortlessly.
The arrogance on his face vanished, replaced by disbelief.
"My Five Thunder Righteous Method specializes in destroying demons and heretics!"
As Gojo's voice fell—
He appeared before the magistrate in an instant.
His lightning-wreathed palm came crashing down toward the man's head.
Crackle! Crackle!
The moment his hand made contact—
It sounded like water thrown into boiling oil.
Lightning, embodying the righteous energy of heaven and earth, surged through the magistrate's body.
Blinding light erupted, engulfing both of them in a blazing white glow.
Just as the magistrate's body was about to be reduced to charred remains—
He mustered all his strength and struck Gojo's chest with his remaining arm.
Bang!
A loud impact echoed.
Protected by the Golden Light Spell, Gojo remained unharmed.
But the force still sent the magistrate flying backward.
"Damn it!"
"How is this little Daoist so strong?!"
"He's so young, yet his Thunder Arts have reached this level!"
"Could his surname be Zhang…? Is he the next Celestial Master?!"
Enduring the searing pain coursing through his body, the magistrate rolled across the ground and scrambled to his feet, fleeing toward the door.
Clearly—
After this exchange, he had recognized the gap between himself and Gojo.
Even after absorbing all those vengeful spirits—
He was still no match!
"Hmph, trying to run?"
Gojo snorted coldly.
With a push of his foot, he shot forward like lightning, leaving an afterimage behind.
Just as the magistrate barely reached the doorway—
Gojo had already caught up.
His palm slammed down onto the man's shoulder.
Lightning surged again.
This time—
Both of the magistrate's arms were instantly reduced to blackened ash, scattering into the air.
The intense pain caused him to collapse to the ground.
At the same time, a streak of golden light shot out, piercing his legs and completely crippling his ability to move.
Now lying helpless on the ground, limbs destroyed—
Gojo looked down at him and said,
"Now… you can tell me everything, can't you?"
"Kill me or torture me—do as you like!"
"You Daoist bastard, don't expect to hear a single word from me!"
Despite the agony, the magistrate craned his neck upward, glaring fiercely at Gojo.
Clearly—
He had no intention of revealing anything.
"Not a single word?"
Gojo suddenly grinned.
"If you don't want to talk, I won't force you."
With that—
He raised his lightning again, bringing it slowly toward the magistrate's head.
Watching the crackling arc draw closer—
The magistrate felt an overwhelming sense of danger.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
This… wasn't how it was supposed to go!
Weren't righteous cultivators supposed to show mercy, bind him up, and interrogate him properly?
Why was this Daoist ready to kill without hesitation?!
His style was practically the same as All-Extremity!
"I—I'll talk! If I tell you, will you spare my life?!"
He shouted desperately.
"Speak."
Gojo's voice was cold.
If there were others behind this magistrate—
He would dig them all out and eliminate them.
If not—
Then this man's fate was sealed.
"The reason I did all this…"
The magistrate sighed, lowering his head.
Then suddenly, he shouted,
"Of course it was to become stronger!"
In the next instant—
Black smoke burst out from his clothes—
Revealing a Mauser pistol hidden within!
As the smoke pulled the trigger—
A bullet shot out, aimed straight at Gojo's heart.
Bang!
A metallic clang rang out.
The bullet struck Gojo's chest—
But didn't even pierce his clothes, as if it had hit solid steel.
"What?!"
The magistrate's face turned pale in shock.
"Are you even human?!"
"Just for strength… you killed so many people…"
"All of you from All-Extremity truly deserve to die."
Gojo's expression turned icy.
The golden light around his body suddenly shifted—
Compressing inward before bursting outward.
The bullet embedded in his chest shot back out—
And pierced directly through the magistrate's forehead.
His life ended instantly.
With the magistrate's death—
The vengeful spirits he had absorbed began to emerge from his body, swirling through the prison.
"For power… people can go this far…"
Watching the twisted, wailing spirits, Gojo let out a quiet sigh.
"Junior Brother Su, I didn't expect your strength to have grown this much."
"Even that magistrate wasn't your match."
"Master was ready to step in if you lost—but it seems he worried for nothing~"
Zhang Zhiwei's cheerful voice echoed from outside.
Moments later, Zhang Jingqing and Zhang Zhiwei stepped into the prison.
"Well done."
Clearly, they had been observing the battle from outside, ready to intervene at any moment.
Zhang Jingqing nodded at Gojo, then turned his gaze toward the vengeful spirits.
"Zhiwei, help them pass on."
"Yes, Master."
Zhang Zhiwei nodded and began reciting the Rebirth Mantra.
Once all the spirits were laid to rest—
The three of them walked out of the prison.
"Ask whatever you want to ask."
Seeing Gojo hesitate, Zhang Jingqing spoke calmly.
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