**Chapter 1593: The Same Rune, Different Effects**
Lin Muyu stood in mid-air, looking down. His gaze swept over Lu Zhi, whose breath was already very weak.
The physical injuries were minor; the key issue was the trauma to his soul.
There was a flow of life laws on his body, indicating he had been treated, but the effect was minimal.
At most, it could only temporarily maintain his condition, unable to completely heal him. The Human Race had no good means to treat soul injuries.
However, Lin Muyu could see that Lu Zhi wouldn't die immediately.
His attention shifted to the rune blade in Wang Xing's hand.
The rune blade looked like a curved short knife, emitting a unique power belonging to runes.
The blade also exuded an ancient aura, carrying a sense of desolation.
However, not everyone could feel this aura; it required extremely sensitive soul perception.
Wang Xing and the two family heads seemed to be in a heated discussion, their voices gradually rising into an argument.
Lu Tian suppressed his anger, "Lord Wang Xing, can my son be saved?"
Wang Xing replied, "I have already reported to the family head, who will arrive soon."
As a member of the Wang family, Wang Xing spoke with a hint of authority.
Even though Lu Tian's cultivation was higher than Wang Xing's, he dared not offend him.
Lu Tian glared at Qiao Fangxin, "If anything happens to my son..."
The rest of the threat was understood without being said: if Lu Zhi died, Qiao Zhengyuan would not fare well either.
The rules of the Human Emperor Network were strict; no one could protect Qiao Zhengyuan.
"Can I take a look at the rune blade?"
A voice suddenly interrupted, and all three turned to see an unexpected figure.
Wang Xing was slightly surprised, "It's you!"
He had seen Lin Muyu before, but Lin Muyu had disappeared afterward.
Lin Muyu cupped his hands, "Greetings, Brother Wang Xing."
Wang Xing nodded, "What do you want?"
Lin Muyu said, "I want to see this rune blade."
Wang Xing flatly refused, "No."
Lin Muyu asked, "Is there a rule against it?"
The Human Emperor Network had many rules, and Lin Muyu wasn't sure if there was a specific rule about this.
Wang Xing nodded, "Yes."
Wang Xing didn't explain why, and Lin Muyu didn't press further.
Lin Muyu glanced at the rune blade again. Wang Xing hadn't stored it in a magical storage item, likely because it couldn't be stored, so he had to hold it.
Wang Xing seemed to be on guard, indicating the rune blade was peculiar.
Suddenly, Lin Muyu sensed something and looked at Qiao Zhengyuan.
A sharp, inhuman scream erupted as Qiao Zhengyuan howled at the sky, his voice piercingly sharp.
The sound waves spread wildly through the city, causing many to fall from the sky instantly.
On the ground, numerous cultivators clutched their heads in pain, clearly suffering.
Even a few God Kings felt uncomfortable.
The sound waves directly attacked the soul.
At this moment, Qiao Zhengyuan's body was covered in black runes, and his eyes had turned black.
He was enveloped in black energy, looking extremely eerie.
The formation that had been restraining him trembled continuously, on the verge of collapse.
Qiao Zhengyuan was like a beast about to break free, his screams growing louder.
Qiao Fangxin trembled and exclaimed, "How could this happen!"
Wang Xing reacted quickly, rushing to Qiao Zhengyuan's side.
He drew a rune with incredible speed and pressed it onto Qiao Zhengyuan's head.
Lin Muyu recognized the rune as a suppression rune, meant to suppress everything.
Of course, the effectiveness of suppression depended on one's strength.
Wang Xing was a sixth-level God King, while Qiao Zhengyuan was only a sixth-level True God; the gap was insurmountable, making suppression easy.
But contrary to expectations, the suppression rune didn't stop Qiao Zhengyuan's screams.
Black energy surged from Qiao Zhengyuan, resisting the suppression rune, and his aura grew stronger.
Wang Xing's face turned serious as he increased the pressure.
But no matter how much force he applied, he couldn't suppress Qiao Zhengyuan.
Qiao Zhengyuan's resistance grew stronger, and the suppression rune began to crack, on the verge of breaking.
Suddenly, a black light flashed.
The rune blade in Wang Xing's hand burst forth, escaping his grasp and shooting towards his forehead.
The attack was too sudden and fast for Wang Xing to react.
Fear filled Wang Xing's eyes as he watched the rune blade approach.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed Wang Xing's shoulder, pulling him back, and a golden light clashed with the rune blade.
The rune blade was knocked away, and Wang Xing narrowly escaped.
Wang Xing looked at Lin Muyu, who had pulled him back, with lingering fear and a pale face, "Thank you!"
Lin Muyu smiled, "No need to thank me, Brother Wang."
"Zhi'er, what's happening to you!" Lu Tian's voice suddenly rang out.
Looking over, they saw Lu Zhi, who had been lying on the ground, now standing.
He was also covered in black energy, with black runes emerging from his skin.
His wounds had healed.
Lu Zhi and Qiao Zhengyuan were in the same condition.
The rune blade flew back, landing in Lu Zhi's hand.
Lu Zhi's aura exploded, instantly breaking through to the God King level and growing stronger.
Wang Xing's heart trembled, "This is trouble."
Lu Tian and Qiao Fangxin were at a loss, not knowing what to do.
Lin Muyu shook his head, "It's fine."
He quickly drew two suppression runes.
Wang Xing's pupils contracted; Lin Muyu's speed was faster than his own.
Moreover, the power within Lin Muyu's runes far exceeded his own.
The two suppression runes glowed faintly with purple light, exuding a noble aura.
"Go!"
Lin Muyu softly commanded, and the two runes flew out.
Before the two could react, the runes landed on their heads.
The runes emitted countless rays of light, enveloping the two.
They quieted down, though black energy still surged, unable to break free from the suppression runes.
The same suppression rune, but Lin Muyu's was far more powerful than Wang Xing's.
Wang Xing stared in disbelief, his previous fear forgotten.
"How can the difference be so great!"
He couldn't believe his eyes, but the reality was undeniable.
Moreover, Lin Muyu's cultivation was lower than his own.
Yet in rune mastery, he was far behind Lin Muyu.
Lin Muyu walked to Lu Zhi, taking the rune blade from his hand.
Lu Zhi, covered in black energy, seemed to want to resist and roar.
But it was useless; under the suppression rune, he couldn't move or make a sound.
Lin Muyu held the rune blade, which vibrated and resisted, trying to escape and even attack him.
Golden light flashed in Lin Muyu's hand, giving the blade no chance.
Looking at the runes on the blade, Lin Muyu smiled, "So that's how it is!"
A delicate small bow appeared above his head.