Passing through Sinking Star Valley, the view before them suddenly opened up. The terrain gradually leveled out, forming a vast mountain basin. Above the basin, spiritual energy condensed into multicolored misty radiance, dreamlike and illusory. In the distance, several towering peaks pierced the clouds, their summits shrouded in thick spiritual fog, with faint treasure light shimmering within. That was clearly the core area of the secret realm, the place of opportunity that countless cultivators yearned for.
However, this peaceful scene did not last long. Just as the Qingxu Temple group had barely stepped into the edge of the basin, preparing to rest briefly and plan their next route, a cold, viscous aura surged from all directions like an invisible tide, instantly dispersing the surrounding serene spiritual energy.
"On guard!" Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng shouted sharply, his longsword already unsheathed, the blade humming as it emitted a biting chill.
Third Senior Sister Liu Yun almost simultaneously stepped forward, sword pointing ahead, sword qi erupting around her body, shredding the cold aura attempting to encroach upon them. Xiao Qi's heart tightened, instinctively gripping the wok in his hand. The jade pendant on his chest transmitted a clear warning heat. The rabbit spirit also poked its head out from his lapel, its ruby-like eyes warily scanning the surroundings, fur slightly bristling.
Shadows around the basin, behind rocks, and even from the seemingly calm ground below—figures clad in black martial attire, wearing ferocious masks of different colors, silently emerged like ghosts. Their numbers far exceeded those of the Qingxu Temple team; at a glance, there were no less than thirty, faintly forming an encirclement. These black-clad individuals exuded a sinister aura, wreathed in faint black qi—the distinctive mark of Shadow Snake Pavilion's demonic cultivators.
Even more heart-stopping were the three particularly powerful figures standing in front of these ordinary demonic cultivators. The central figure wore a silver mask that glimmered with a cold metallic sheen, the mask simple in design, revealing only a pair of emotionless, serpent-like eyes. His stature was not particularly tall, but standing there, he seemed like the core of the entire gloomy aura. Nascent Soul early-stage spiritual pressure was released without restraint, pressing down on everyone's hearts like a mountain. To his left and right stood two others: one wearing a crimson ghost mask, holding a long blade burning with black flames, his aura violent, having reached late Golden Core peak; the other wore a pale white mask, his figure flitting about, toying with several twisting black shadow shuttles in his hands, his aura eerie, also late Golden Core.
"Silver‑masked envoy…" Mu Qingfeng's voice was low, carrying unprecedented gravity. He recognized the identity of the central figure—a core personage of considerable status within Shadow Snake Pavilion, whose strength was far from ordinary Nascent Soul level. Combined with two clearly elite late Golden Core demonic cultivators, plus dozens of demonic cultivator subordinates ranging from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, the disparity in strength between the two sides was vast.
"You little kids from Qingxu Temple are quite lucky to have made it this far," the Silver‑masked Envoy spoke, his voice hoarse and cold, like metal grating against metal. "Unfortunately, your luck ends here. Hand over what you've obtained in the secret realm, especially… the thing that kid is carrying." His gaze, as substantial as a physical force, swept past Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun, precisely locking onto Tang Xiaoqi, that gaze filled with undisguised greed and a trace of… scrutiny.
Xiao Qi felt a chill rise up his spine. The opponent's target was indeed him—or rather, the jade pendant on him! He tightened his grip on the wok, spiritual energy circulating covertly within his body. The Purification Source, urged by the jade pendant, flowed slowly, dispersing the uncomfortable oppressive chill.
"Demonic path fiends, daring to covet the possessions of the righteous path? If you want it, come and take it yourself!" Mu Qingfeng's willow‑leaf eyebrows shot up, the longsword in her hand erupting with dazzling sword light, fearlessly pointing at the Silver‑masked Envoy. Her temper was fierce and unyielding; even facing a powerful enemy, she would never retreat.
Mu Qingfeng stepped forward, standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Mu Qingfeng, saying gravely, "Shadow Snake Pavilion mobilizing such a large force—aren't you afraid of triggering a full‑scale conflict between our sects?"
"Conflict?" The Silver‑masked Envoy let out a derisive laugh. "In this secret realm, a few deaths are perfectly normal. Who would know who did it?" The killing intent in his tone was undisguised. "Since you won't hand it over obediently, then… all of you shall stay behind!"
Before the words faded, the crimson‑masked demonic cultivator beside him gave a sinister grin, the black‑flame long blade in his hand slashing out fiercely! A ten‑zhang‑long black‑flame blade arc, carrying an aura that incinerated everything, was the first to slash toward the Qingxu Temple members! The blade arc passed through, air distorted, the ground plowed open a charred trench.
"Formation!" Mu Qingfeng shouted loudly, acting simultaneously with Liu Yun. Mu Qingfeng's sword stance was steady, a condensed, mountain‑like heavy sword arc meeting the black flame, blocking most of its force. Mu Qingfeng's sword moved with nimbleness, countless fine, sharp sword qi like a sudden storm of wind and rain, bypassing the main blade arc, assailing the crimson‑masked demonic cultivator's vital points.
At the same time, the other demonic cultivators moved! The white‑masked demonic cultivator's figure flickered, transforming into several indistinguishable real‑and‑illusory afterimages, the black shadow shuttles in his hands shooting out like venomous snakes emerging from their holes, silently aiming at several weaker members of the Qingxu Temple team. Dozens of black‑clad demonic cultivators roared in unison, various sinister spells, poison‑drenched hidden weapons pouring forth like a torrential downpour!
"Mysterious Tortoise Shield, rise!" Xiao Qi did not hesitate, summoning the top‑grade spiritual artifact Mysterious Tortoise Shield he had obtained earlier. An earthen‑yellow, enormous shield phantom inscribed with profound tortoise‑shell patterns instantly materialized in front of the group, blocking most area‑of‑effect attacks, emitting dense "thud‑thud" sounds.
"Protect yourselves!" Xiao Qi shouted to two pale‑faced fellow disciples beside him, then his gaze locked onto several demonic cultivators attempting to flank around the Mysterious Tortoise Shield. He stepped on"Swimming Dragon Nine Revolutions"movement technique, his figure slipping out like a swimming fish, the wok in his hand whirring through the air, directly smashing toward a Foundation Establishment late‑stage demonic cultivator charging at the forefront.
That demonic cultivator, seeing Xiao Qi's cultivation was merely mid Foundation Establishment, flashed a trace of disdain, swinging a poison‑drenched short dagger to meet the attack. Yet when the dagger contacted the seemingly clumsy wok—with a "clang!" like a giant bell—the demonic cultivator felt an irresistible tremendous force transmit through, his tiger‑mouth splitting, the dagger flying from his grip, his entire person sent flying backward as if struck by a wild ox, crashing into a rock, life‑or‑death unknown.
Xiao Qi, having succeeded with one strike, did not pause. Wok shadows flipped and flew—slapping, smashing, blocking—forcing two other demonic cultivators trying to close in into frantic disarray. His strength far surpassed his peers, the wok's sturdiness was unexpectedly formidable, coupled with exquisite movement technique, he momentarily held off the flank assault.
On another side, Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun joined forces against the crimson‑masked demonic cultivator, sword light and black flames continuously colliding, explosion sounds unceasing. Mu Qingfeng's sword technique was steady, defending flawlessly; Mu Qingfeng's sword technique was fierce, attacking so that the opponent had to split attention to defend. The two cooperated with perfect coordination, temporarily fighting the late Golden Core peak demonic cultivator to a standoff.
But the greatest pressure came from the Silver‑masked Envoy. He did not directly participate in the encirclement attack, merely standing with hands behind his back, cold gaze sweeping the entire field as if watching a drama already predetermined. His very presence was a tremendous deterrence, forcing Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun to divert part of their focus to guard against his sudden move.
The white‑masked demonic cultivator's movement technique was extremely bizarre, shadow shuttles appearing and vanishing unpredictably, specializing in harassment and assassination. Already two Qingxu Temple disciples had suffered minor injuries from his sneak attacks; if not for Xiao Qi occasionally blocking with the wok or covering with the Mysterious Tortoise Shield, the situation would likely be worse.
The battle fell into a stalemate, yet the Qingxu Temple side was clearly at a disadvantage. Numbers, top‑tier combat power—both were inferior. They relied entirely on Mu Qingfeng and Liu Yun's tenacious resistance, Xiao Qi's unexpectedly impressive performance, and the Mysterious Tortoise Shield's powerful defense to hold on. Spiritual energy was rapidly depleting; everyone's expressions grew graver.
While swinging the wok, Xiao Qi anxiously pondered a way to break the deadlock. Fighting head‑on like this, they would surely lose. His gaze swept over the Silver‑masked Envoy sitting calmly and firmly in position, looked at the surrounding demonic cultivators glaring fiercely like tigers, finally landing on the jade pendant on his chest.
Perhaps… he could only risk trying it? He recalled in the poisonous swamp and illusion formation, the Purification Source's restraining effect on demonic energy. Only, facing so many demonic cultivators, especially that unfathomable Silver‑masked Envoy, recklessly exposing this greatest trump card—whether it would bring fortune or disaster was still unknown.
Just as his thoughts raced, the Silver‑masked Envoy seemed to lose patience, slowly raising his right hand, fingertip beginning to gather pitch‑black demonic light.
"The game… should end now."