Chapter 118

When the words "Exterminate Evil Division" reached his ears, the black-clad cultivator’s face paled. He instantly threw a punch at Yang Lingrui.

Clang!

Yang Lingrui now stood encased within a sturdy gray-white external manifestation that didn’t budge an inch under the cultivator’s full strength.

"Damn!"

The cultivator cursed his earlier torture games—he should’ve killed this man immediately.

But there was no time for regrets. Having zero interest in tangling with the dynasty’s Exterminate Evil Division, he chose retreat.

Swish—

He flung a steel needle toward Zi He before bolting.

Zi He flicked his fingers. His summoned external manifestation batted the projectile aside.

He didn’t chase the fleeing figure, instead calmly taking the dark red longbow from his back.

Zzzzt…

Drawing the bowstring slowly toward the escape route, three soft whooshes followed as a translucent external manifestation arrow materialized.

The rotating arrow gathered swirling energy while Zi He kept pulling the string taut.

The cultivator had already vanished beyond divine awareness range.

Unfazed, Zi He muttered an incantation. Purple light glazed his dark eyes.

"Strike."

Thwip—

The arrow shot silently despite its fierce appearance, leaving no sound trail.

Zi He turned without watching its path. He shoved three elixirs into Yang Lingrui’s mouth.

"You…lived…"

Blood bubbled in Yang Lingrui’s throat, slurring his words.

The external manifestation techniques had hinted the truth. The name "Zi He"—a truncated version of his original title—confirmed it.

"Elder’s mercy spared me."

"Good…cough…"

"Stop talking unless you want to die. Focus on refining the elixirs."

One superior-quality rejuvenating elixir. One superior-quality bone mender. One superior-quality revival pill.

Three late-stage Gathering Qi boosters yanked Yang Lingrui’s body and soul back from death’s doorstep.

He had just consumed over two thousand spiritual crystals.

Three hours later, Yang Lingrui regained his strength and stood up with Zi He’s support.

"This time, I truly owe you my life. Thanks," Yang Lingrui said.

"Save your gratitude between us."

"Why are you here?"

"The Exterminate Evil Division intercepted Blood Feather Hall’s intel. Got orders to check the treasure land. Lucky timing bumping into you."

Yang Lingrui gave a bitter smile. Without Zi He’s arrival, he’d be dead by now.

"What should I call you now?"

"The Li Family’s second young master is gone. Just Zi He, first-level Zhanwei of the Exterminate Evil Division."

A flicker of nostalgia passed through Zi He’s eyes as he spoke.

After silent moments, Yang Lingrui stared at the crater blasted by moonlight. "Solitary Moon Mountain spared no expense for small fry like me."

"Don’t flatter yourself. Moonfall’s not just targeting you." Zi He snorted. "Know how many disciples they lost?"

Yang Lingrui shook his head. Zi He raised three fingers.

"Twenty-eight dead. Three direct disciples among them. Their total losses these past thirty years don’t compare."

The numbers finally clicked for Yang Lingrui. Such casualties would cripple any sect’s future.

"Heard an elder’s direct disciple died in your treasure land. Know anything?"

Yang Lingrui met his gaze without answering.

"What? You claiming you killed him?" Zi He rolled his eyes. "That guy mastered Spiritual Manipulation Technique. Loaded with spiritual treasures and talismans. Even I’d struggle against him, let alone you—"

He stopped mid-sentence, seeing Yang Lingrui’s unbroken silence. His eyes bulged.

"No shit! You actually did it!?"

"Chance encounter. We stumbled into the inheritance land. Caught him off guard. Three mountain-opening talismans through vital points."

"Fucking hell! You bagged the inheritance too!" Zi He whistled. "No wonder they Moonfalled you. Know what that costs? Eighty thousand crystals!"

Yang Lingrui’s smile froze as he recalled Zi He’s earlier words. He seized Zi He’s arm. "How do they choose targets?"

"Lanyue Sect bought intel from Canglan’s Tiangong Pavilion. Your clan’s definitely on the dynasty’s list."

Seeing Yang Lingrui’s panic, Zi He’s face darkened. "Your brother came out too?"

Yang Lingrui’s chest tightened imagining Yang Linghu facing the Calamity.

They might have narrowly escaped the Moonfall’s assault.

But the Blood Feather Hall cultivator waited as backup.

Against an Eighth Level cultivator, the three stood no chance of survival!

Realizing this, he abandoned all thoughts of staying and mustered his spiritual power to rush toward the Black Snake Secret Treasure.

“Cough…”

Yang Lingrui vomited blood.

His barely healed wounds tore open from straining his energy.

“Are you insane? This injury needs a month’s rest!”

“Zi He! Take me to the Black Snake Secret Treasure—now!”

“You…”

Zi He hesitated, seeing Yang Lingrui’s condition.

But memories of his sister’s final moments made him understand.

“Fine! Move!”

Zi He snatched his longbow, hauled Yang Lingrui onto his back, and sprinted toward the treasure site.

They passed where the black-clad cultivator had been struck.

Yang Lingrui’s fleeting glance revealed the man’s empty shoulder socket.

“Clean work. Impressive.”

“The Elder gave Qingwan and me full credit. Traded merits at the Dynasty Treasury for this longbow and pupil technique.”

Meanwhile, Zhao Qi—propping up Yang Linghu’s arm—and the dazed Liang Yi faced the Blood Feather Hall backup.

“First Level? Second Level?” The eighth-level Gathering Qi cultivator sighed. “Pathetic.”

Crushing ants offered no glory.

Liang Yi gaped blankly, terror-numbed.

Zhao Qi’s mind raced—he’d survived worse. But against this overwhelming power? Only his three talismans might help.

“Can’t gauge his strength… Seventh-level? Eighth? Feels like a martial cultivator’s energy.”

“Three talismans left. Worth trying?”

“Better die fighting.”

Mimicking Lingrui’s trick, Zhao Qi fake-sobbed against Yang Linghu’s arm while secretly fitting the mountain-opening talisman to his bowstring.