Shuihan Star.
Celestial-ranked experts continuously returned from all directions, presenting demon corpses and reporting their findings.
"Reporting to the Young Master, the eastern river valley is littered with demon corpses, as if a great evil has passed through. We have collected over three thousand corpses of various kinds."
"Reporting to the Young Master, the western frozen plains are the same. We have gathered over two thousand demon corpses."
"Reporâ"
Before the third person could finish, the handsome young master lazily interrupted.
"Enough."
"It's all much of the same. I have no interest in wasting any more time. Now that weâve investigated Shuihan Star, it should be enough to shut those old foolsâ mouths."
"Itâs time for us to leave and seek treasure."
The so-called investigation was utterly perfunctory, his tone dripping with impatience.
Only when mentioning the word "treasure" did the young masterâs eyes gleam with anticipation, as if this was the true purpose of their journeyâa worthwhile endeavor only if there were treasures to be found.
Even so, his attendants, experts, and concubines all responded with devout reverence.
"As you command, Young Master!"
The two leading figures bowed slowly, their sidelong glances drifting toward Xiong Fen and the others sprawled on the ground.
"Young Master, what shall we do with these people? Should we eliminate them here?"
The dashing young master chuckled softly, raising a wine cup with a glint in his eyes.
"No rush."
"We still need them to lead us to Dark Shadow Island. Let these ants keep their wretched lives for now."
Watching the arrogant way he toyed with the cup, Xiong Fen gritted his teeth in fury.
Hearing the words, he and the others exchanged stunned glances.
"Dark Shadow Island?"
"Fine! If you truly dare to go, Iâd be more than happy to lead the way!"
Xiong Fenâs voice was laced with venom, and Xiong Zhong and the bricklayers echoed his defiance through clenched teeth.
"Stop posturing and letâs go now!"
"Weâll take you there!"
"Just hope you donât regret it later!"
Despite their grievous injuries and near-exhaustion moments ago, they suddenly erupted in taunts, as if brimming with unshakable confidenceâor perhaps harboring sinister intentions.
The surrounding experts narrowed their eyes, sensing something eerily familiar about this bravado. It was even more exaggerated than their own, stirring an ominous premonition...
Yet the handsome young master merely glanced sideways with a faint smile, utterly unperturbed.
"From the memories Iâve seen, Dark Shadow Island does possess some strength."
"I know exactly what youâre thinking. But if you believe that meager power is enough to spring a trap, youâre sorely mistaken."
"My level of cultivation is beyond your comprehension."
His calm voice radiated transcendent confidence, stunning Xiong Fen and the others into silence.
This man had already soul-searched their captain. He should know the dangers of Dark Shadow Islandâyet he remained so brazenly unafraid. Could his power truly be that formidable?
Exchanging uneasy glances, they strained their spiritual senses to probe him.
Yet the moment their divine consciousness neared the ruthless young master, it was instantly devoured, like clay oxen plunging into the sea. They couldnât even sense the slightest ripple of his aura.
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Too strong...
This level of cultivation was monstrous, far beyond anything they could fathom.
What would happen when such an existence set foot on Dark Shadow Island?
They couldnât begin to imagine.
In an instant, Xiong Fen and the others huddled weakly around their unconscious captain, their eyes filled with dread.
The atmosphere grew suffocating, an overwhelming pressure bearing down on them. No matter how fiercely they seethed with resentment, they were powerlessâadrift like duckweed on a stormy sea, their fates uncertain.
Just as the silence became unbearableâ
A streak of light descended from the heavens!
Its speed defied the naked eye, leaving only a terrifying trail of split clouds in its wake, as though the sky itself had been cleaved in two!
Everyone gaped in shock.
The terrifying light, like a meteor, crashed onto the icy plains nearby.
"BOOM!!!"
The deafening roar echoed across the land, reverberating through the clouds for miles!
Avalanches surged like raging rivers, and the frozen ground cracked into a web spanning thousands of miles!
Even the exceptionally sturdy flying ship was rocked by the shockwaves, its hull swaying violently. Xiong Fen and the others clung to their captain as if facing a tsunami, their faces pale with terror.
How horrifying...
What kind of monstrous power and speed could create such a cataclysmic scene? It was like witnessing the descent of a demon god!
As the tremors gradually subsided, all eyes fixed on the colossal crater in the distance.
From its depths emerged... a bald man!
Instantly, the Celestial-ranked experts widened their eyes, murmuring among themselves.
"This man... is no ordinary foe."
"His aura is imperceptible."
"Everyone, stay alert."
...
Whispers of caution spread quietly.
Bai Qiyu, having climbed out of the crater, dusted the snow off his beloved tracksuit. Satisfied it was unharmed, he lifted his head and scanned his surroundings, drawn by the voices.
His dead-fish eyes swept over the scene.
A flying ship stood not far away, surrounded by strangers pointing and whispering. A few injured men lay on the groundânone of whom he recognized.
But this scene matched Xiao Zhanâs message almost exactly.
Looking closerâ
Among the unconscious figures on the ship was someone faintly familiar, likely a member of Dark Shadow Island.
Bai Qiyu brightened and strode forward with his bow-legged gait.
As he walked, he waved and called outâ
"Hey!"
"Who hereâs from Dark Shadow Island? You guys standing upâare you the bad ones?"
His blunt question sent a stark divide through the crowd aboard the ship.
In the same breath, all eyes widened in shock.
Under their collective gaze, the bald man in a tracksuit jogged toward them with earnest determination, his head reflecting blinding light. His harmless, slightly foolish demeanor stood in absurd contrast to his terrifying entrance.
"Someone from Dark Shadow Island?"
Murderous intent flickered in the eyes of the shipâs occupants, their powers surging covertly.
Meanwhile, Xiong Fen and the others perked upâthis was one of their own!
Yet, observing the manâs simpleton-like appearance, even after his spectacular arrival, they couldnât help but exchange doubtful glances, whispering among themselves.
"Have you ever seen him before?"
"Could he be one of the battalion leaders?"
"Maybe! But... can he really take on these experts?"
"No idea..."
Their hushed telepathic exchange should have been imperceptible.
Yet the young master caught every word. With a casual wave, he issued his command.
"Kill him. Spare no effort."
His tone was eerily calm, devoid of emotion. Despite Bai Qiyuâs display of power, the order was delivered with dismissive easeâas though the bald man warranted nothing more than a routine execution.
The moment the command left his lips, the Celestial-ranked experts unleashed their full might.
Auras erupted as they channeled their Dao powers without restraint, weapons gleaming in their hands. Like wolves descending upon prey, they lunged!
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The air screamed as the experts closed in on the bald man.
Bai Qiyu, still mid-jog, suddenly found himself under attack!
Dodging clumsily, he yelped in protest.
"Hey! Hey!"
"Attacking without warningâthatâs not very sportsmanlike!"
But the assailants, incensed by his evasive maneuvers, grew even more vicious. Their strikes aimed for fatal blows, weaving a deadly net of Dao energy and sword light.
Bai Qiyu sidestepped again, frantically checking his tracksuit for damage.
"That was close..."
"Even old clothes are still clothes. It'd be a shame to ruin them!"
The Heaven-rank experts grew even more furious, their eyes flashing with wariness.
Exchanging glances, their killing intent radiated in all directions!
"Everyone, donât underestimate himâthis man is a formidable foe!"
"Form the array!"
With several fierce shouts, the already ruthless experts became even more ferocious, stepping into an intricate formation as they prepared to strike Bai Qiyu simultaneously!
Watching the impending storm of attacks and the profound footwork, Xiong Fen, who had struggled to his feet, paled in horrorâas if he were about to witness his fellow disciple suffer grievous wounds!
At that moment.
Bai Qiyu, growing impatient, threw a single punch toward the oncoming foes.
"Ordinary Fist!"
True to its name, the motion was simplicity itselfâjust a basic waist-driven punch.
Yet the moment his fist shot forwardâ
Boundless energy and the power of the Dao erupted like a hurricane, engulfing the Heaven-rank experts in an instant. Screams of terror filled the air!
Where the shockwaves swept, ice and snow surged like tidal waves!
Winds howled, and a blizzard blotted out the sky!
Even the residual force veering to the left sent a hundred-zhang-long flying ship lurching violently. The noble young master, rarely stirred to attention, flicked his sleeve to dispel the icy onslaught.
When the storm finally settledâŠ
The Heaven-rank experts lay motionless, their faces unrecognizable, their robes in tatters.
Behind them.
A thousand-zhang glacier bore a terrifying chasmâa massive tunnel punched straight through its core, piercing the ancient, unmelting peak!
Silence gripped the battlefield.