Chapter 946: Blocking the Way

The monstrous bird’s strength rivaled that of an early-stage Spiritual Infant cultivator. If Qin Sang unleashed the

Lightning Control Technique

, then joined forces with Bai, his incarnation, and the Two-Headed Hou, he might have had a chance to drive the bird back. But doing so would inevitably alarm the ferocious beasts below and draw Old Devil Mou’s attention. In the worst case, he would be forced to make a choice.

With the Soul-Nourishing Wood in hand, his cultivation would no longer be hindered. He believed that the next time he entered Seven-Kill Hall, he could traverse the path of swords on his own strength.

But the longer one lingered, the greater the risk of unforeseen changes. Who could guarantee what might happen decades later? Escaping smoothly now was more than he could hope for.

He was even more cautious than before, quickly slipping out of the rift valley and streaking toward the outer edge of the Purple Mist End.

***

Within the rift valley, the monstrous bird had appeared, forming a tense standoff of three sides.

Then a piercing howl echoed from the ghostly land. Old Devil Mou, shrouded in icy fire, shot forth in an instant, arriving before the beasts. At once, all their eyes fixed upon him.

Influenced by Seven-Kill Hall, these beasts acted on instinct. Recognizing this intruder whose aura far surpassed theirs, they immediately set aside their grudges and joined forces to besiege him.

The monstrous bird spread its wings wide, spewing black light. The dog-like beast leader spat a stream of purple fire.

The group of Jiao-like monsters interlocked their tails, bodies entwining as purple qi surged. Their forms swelled until they resembled a true dragon. Its long tail lashed down at Old Devil Mou.

Beset on all sides, Old Devil Mou’s face darkened. "Blind beasts! I spared you my wrath, and you dare to ruin my affairs? Begone!"

His shout rang out as the cold flames around his body flared into blazing armor. A hissing roar erupted. Even the Purple Mist burned beneath the Dongming Cold Flame. The flames gathered into a mass and crashed head-on with the purple fire.

Boom!

The two fires collided. The blast birthed a towering pillar of two-colored flame that pierced the skies, scattering the Purple Mist.

Meanwhile, a gray cloth pouch appeared in Old Devil Mou’s hand. An incantation triggered an eruption of countless black granules, spraying out like a torrent.

The grains varied from specks of dust to grains of rice, yet each weighed as heavy as a mountain. Together they formed a wall, blocking the black light and halting the Jiao.

The strength he displayed stunned the beasts. But even Old Devil Mou did not emerge unscathed. His face flushed red from the strain.

Ignoring them, his gaze suddenly snapped to a crater on the cliff wall. It was the scar left when the monstrous bird had attacked Qin Sang. Something there caught his attention. With a stomp, he shot toward it.

Never had these beasts faced such arrogance. To disregard them completely was unforgivable. Furious, they lunged again.

"Out of my way!" One hand manipulated fire, the other scattered divine sand, as Old Devil Mou fought the beasts, forcing a path forward.

Not long after, his roar of fury and shame thundered through the rift valley. "Fall into my hands, and I will make you suffer every torture in this world. You will beg for death and never find it!"

With his experience, the traces told him all he needed to know. That thief had not only stolen the treasure and ruined the devilish fire, but had also escaped under his very nose without his knowledge. How could Old Devil Mou not be enraged?

***

Above the valley, Qin Sang sped toward the cave where the Qiu Dragon dwelled, deliberately skirting the gorge.

He could sense the earth-shaking battle behind him and easily guessed who the combatants were. He had not struck a blow and had moved with utmost caution. Apart from the traces left by the bird’s attack, he had revealed no aura.

Even if the Spiritual Infant cultivator discovered something, once outside he would never be able to track it to Qin Sang. This thought eased Qin Sang’s heart.

At last, the Qiu Dragon’s cave came into view. Just as he was about to enter, the ground shook. From behind came the sounds of battle and unfamiliar roars he had never heard before.

"Have they fought all the way here? Or has that Spiritual Infant cultivator already shaken off the beasts and met new foes? That direction... Could it be that the top-tier beast that once attacked Madam Liu has been roused?" Qin Sang was shaken. That cultivator’s strength was even more terrifying than he had imagined.

Fortunately, the Qiu Dragon still slumbered. Passing through its lair and reaching the cliff’s far side, Qin Sang finally exhaled in relief, his face showing release from a heavy burden.

Beyond lay vast territory, endless hidden realms, cultivators everywhere. He could hide in any corner, and no matter how great the enemy’s abilities, they could never find him.

Instead of plunging straight into the ancient jungle, he shifted direction, circling around to avoid the danger.

Meanwhile, Old Devil Mou, desperate to break free, paid a heavy price to finally shake off the monstrous bird and the Jiao. He was about to resume his search when yet another beast was drawn by the commotion. He had no choice but to fight again.

After great effort, he finally repelled it as well. But he knew that even if his enemy was only at the Core Formation Realm, by now the man would have had more than enough time to escape the Purple Mist End. This realization twisted his face with rage.

After weighing his options, Old Devil Mou shot straight toward the barren plains at Seven-Kill Hall’s exit. With his speed, he was confident he could reach it first.

When the celestial barrier closed and everyone was forced to depart, they would all have to pass through those plains.

***

In the depths of the jungle, an old man in the Core Formation Realm was picking a spiritual herb.

He had just placed the herb into a jade box, joy still lingering on his face, when he seemed to sense something. Lifting his head, he gazed into the jungle and cocked his ear to listen.

Suddenly, his expression changed drastically. After glancing around, he flashed into the roots of an ancient tree and flicked his sleeve, releasing a puff of white smoke. The white smoke settled over him, and the old man vanished without a trace, his aura completely hidden.

A moment later, a violent gale swept through the forest. Within the storm appeared a figure. It was Old Devil Mou.

Passing overhead, Old Devil Mou’s figure paused briefly. His eyes lowered, and with a sudden clench of his hand, a streak of spiritual power shot down like lightning toward the old man’s hiding place.

From the tree roots, the white smoke erupted again. The old man leapt out, panic written on his face, transforming into an evasion light in a desperate attempt to flee.

Old Devil Mou gave a disdainful snort. With a flick of his finger, he sent out a strand of cold flame that morphed into a flaming chain. With a sharp hiss, it wrapped around the old man. A bone-chilling cold seeped into him. His body stiffened, leaving him powerless to resist.

Swish!

The cold flame yanked him back through the air.

"It’s you..." The old man recognized Old Devil Mou, his lips trembling. Before he could speak further, his vision went dark and a shrill scream tore from his throat.

Moments later, Old Devil Mou withdrew his hand, ending the soul search. "Die!"

The Dongming Cold Flame burst forth, and the old man was incinerated into ashes, erased from the world.

The gale rose again. Old Devil Mou’s figure flickered and vanished, leaving only a gnashing curse behind. "I want to see just how far you can run!"