In a dimly lit chamber of the prison, Chi Lian rose slowly, adjusting his robes while surveying the scene with cold satisfaction. His actions had brought great suffering to another innocent victim of the Earth Sect’s cruelty.

The disciples waiting outside displayed equally malevolent expressions.

“Thank you, Elder Chi Lian.”

Daoist Chi Lian adjusted his attire and strode out of the underground prison. The Earth Sect was known to embrace the darkest aspects of human nature, though different members focused on different forms of evil. Chi Lian specialized in inflicting mental anguish and despair on his victims.

Walking through the corridor, Chi Lian arrived at the guards’ rest chamber and summoned a disciple.

“Have you found any new targets recently?” he inquired.

The disciple’s lips curled into a cold smile. “There are several possibilities…” He proceeded to report on various potential victims from prominent families.

“However, they’ve all pledged allegiance to the Yunzhou Army. It would be inconvenient to move against them openly.”

Chi Lian took a sip of tea: “Mere trivial matters. They’ll learn to make the right choice. If they refuse to comply, the entire family can be thrown into prison. People die here daily – we always need new prisoners.”

His eyes blazed with malicious intent as he considered the idea.

He felt no concern about the Yunzhou Army – who would dare challenge the Earth Sect over such minor issues? Even a Second-Rank powerhouse like the Sect Leader could not be taken lightly. Even Xu Pingfeng would turn a blind eye, as he needed to pay a price for courting the Earth Sect’s alliance.

The disciple’s face lit up with vicious delight: “This disciple has long had someone in mind. I shall bring them today for Elder’s disposal.”

Chi Lian nodded and raised his teacup for another sip. Suddenly, he noticed the disciple’s eyes go blank. Without warning, the disciple drew the sword from his back and thrust it toward Chi Lian’s chest.

Simultaneously, the scalding tea in his hand splashed onto his face of its own accord.

His collar and belt turned against him – the former tightening around his neck while the latter came undone to bind him to the chair, restricting his movement.

The teacup on the table flew up and pressed against Chi Lian’s chest, precisely catching the disciple’s sword thrust.

Seventh Rank of the Dao Path – Qi Consumption!

This ability to control nearby objects was far more refined than the crude telekinesis of martial artists.

After blocking the disciple’s attack, a dark gleaming “Golden Core” appeared above Chi Lian’s head. Under its black radiance, his rebellious clothing lost its supernatural properties.

Though the Earth Sect’s corrupt Daoists had fallen from grace, their Golden Cores retained their original powers – perhaps even stronger than orthodox Dao cultivators’ cores, enhanced by corrupting energy.

Chi Lian pressed his palm against the disciple’s chest and pushed lightly. With a “bang,” the disciple slammed into the wall and lost consciousness.

At that moment, two ethereal figures phased through the wall – a handsome young man in Daoist robes and a maiden in light armor with a scarlet cape.

The Dragon and Phoenix of the Heaven Sect!

These were their Nascent Souls.

Upon entering, Li Miaozhen and Li Lingsu simultaneously spat out two brilliant golden cores, hurling them at Chi Lian’s “Golden Core” in a mutually destructive assault.

Boom!

Chaotic spiritual energy swept through the entire prison, causing the prisoners and Earth Sect disciples outside to become disoriented.

Chi Lian’s primordial spirit was stunned by the impact, leaving him momentarily dazed.

At that instant, the wall exploded again as a golden-wreathed figure burst into the chamber.

Taking advantage of Chi Lian’s spiritual shock, Master Hengyuan closed in swiftly. He struck the dantian with one punch, the chest with another, and the face with a third. Chi Lian’s physical form exploded instantly, splattering blood and flesh across the walls.

For warrior monks and martial artists, other cultivators of the same rank became as fragile as paper tigers once in close combat.

Chi Lian’s Nascent Soul escaped, too pressed to even feel anger as it let out a silent scream.

Thick, black Nascent Soul energy filled the room, corroding the three Fourth-Rank experts present.

While Li Lingsu, Li Miaozhen, and Hengyuan resisted the corrupting force, Chi Lian’s Nascent Soul shot upward, attempting to flee the prison.

If he could escape, he would be safe. The Black Lotus Sect Leader and his fellow disciples waited outside.

“Swoosh!”

Suddenly, a brilliant sword light shot through the hole Master Hengyuan had created, piercing the ethereal Nascent Soul and pinning it to the wall.

The Heart Sect’s Soul Sword – capable of cleaving spirits!

Chi Lian’s Nascent Soul dissolved inch by inch amid his howls of rage and unwillingness, scattering into nothingness.

A Fourth-Rank powerhouse, eliminated in less than ten breaths.

After dispatching Chi Lian, Li Miaozhen spoke rapidly: “Master Hengyuan, you’re responsible for clearing the area. No Earth Sect corrupt Daoists in the prison are to be spared.”

The golden-bodied Hengyuan pressed his palms together and chanted a Buddhist mantra: “None shall be spared!”

His expressionless face turned as he left the room, heading down the damp corridor.

The Wrathful Gaze of the Vajra!

Outside the prison, at the Criminal Investigation Commissioner’s Office.

Streams of rainbow-hued karmic force descended, coalescing into Golden Lotus Daoist’s form.

“Black Lotus, the time has come for our reckoning,” Golden Lotus Daoist proclaimed.

Deep within the office, black corrupted energy rose into the air, forming a blooming black lotus. At its center stood a figure dripping with black viscous liquid.

The entire Commissioner’s Office became filled with the clash between rainbow-streaked karmic force and turbid corrupting energy, the two power fields rejecting each other in clear division.

His blood-red eyes looked down coldly at Golden Lotus in the distance:

“Golden Lotus, you dare – with just a few small fry from the Heaven and Earth Society?”

As his words fell, a towering figure appeared above the two opposing energy fields.

He pressed a finger to his brow and spoke in a deep voice:

“You face me as well!”

A blazing halo ignited behind his head as golden lacquer instantly covered his entire body. A terrifying aura spread out to envelope everything.

“A Buddhist Vajra?”

Black Lotus’s attention was immediately drawn to him.

“No!” Asura tapped his brow again. The fire halo behind his head receded, replaced by a brilliant wheel of light. His lips curved upward:

“I am an Arhat!”

“Impossible!”

Black Lotus’s aura fluctuated violently as he let out an incredulous roar.

…

Outside Xun City!

Kou Yangzhou spat out a blade qi that merged with the vast sea of blades. In an instant, each blade was imbued with terrifying power as they resonated and fused, becoming one unified force.

The blade formation spiraled toward Bodhisattva Karatra like a drill. At the spiral’s center was a gleaming longsword – Luo Yuhen’s Heart Sword!

Luo Yuhen’s choice demonstrated her wisdom perfectly. For a martial artist to effectively damage Karatra, their options were limited. The Heart Sword’s destructive power against this Bodhisattva even exceeded the Supervisor’s attacks.

In the realm of primordial spirits, the Dao Path and Wizards reigned supreme.

Though Luo Yuhen might not be as powerful as the Supervisor, her attacks on primordial spirits exceeded his – a difference born of their distinct cultivation systems.

Bodhisattva Karatra stood in mid-air, forming hand seals as the Acala Wisdom King manifestation behind him mirrored his movements.

The Acala Wisdom King’s only weakness was that the user must remain motionless while casting techniques.

*Hum!*

The spatial wrinkles were instantly smoothed away. Within thirty zhang around Karatra, space became like dead water – not even a breath of wind stirred.

The formless, intangible space had become an indestructible cage.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

The spiral blade formation crashed against the solidified void, sparking brilliantly as blades shattered. Metal shards sprayed in all directions like a torrential rain.

Soldiers from both sides held their breath watching this scene, not daring to make a sound.

Witnessing such divine might was their fortune.

Moreover, the outcome of this clash between offense and defense would directly impact both armies’ morale.

Kou Yangzhou spat out another blade qi into the formation. His hand formed a blade as he stepped forward, thrusting out a palm-blade strike.

The blade formation’s rotation instantly accelerated, drilling through the solidified space like a power drill, advancing three chi forward.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

Where the “drill bit” met the spatial barrier, an intense red glow erupted – blades heated until they glowed like hot iron.

They shattered into burning metal fragments, scattering through the air and raining to the ground.

The old warrior’s face was contorted, cheek muscles twitching, temples bulging with veins, his palm blade trembling slightly.

*This old man may not be able to break the Vajra manifestation or the Acala Wisdom King, but if I can’t even breach a mere spell barrier, I’ve wasted six hundred years of cultivation…*

Kou Yangzhou’s body cracked like porcelain, blood flowing freely.

Yet his momentum soared higher and higher, reaching unprecedented heights!

“BREAK!”

The blade formation went berserk, assaulting the spatial barrier with reckless abandon.

Six chi, one zhang, three zhang, ten zhang, twenty zhang, thirty zhang…

The supposedly indestructible spatial barrier shattered. The surrounding air rushed in like long-dammed water, whipping up fierce winds.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

The remaining blades struck the Acala Wisdom King manifestation, managing only to spark pathetically.

But the true killing move followed immediately.

The iron sword containing Luo Yuhen’s Yang Spirit struck the Acala Wisdom King’s brow.

*Ding!*

The iron sword spun high into the air as Luo Yuhen’s Yang Spirit was jolted from it.

Karatra’s naturally imposing eyes showed a moment of emptiness as he entered a brief daze.

The Acala Wisdom King manifestation behind him froze.

At this precise moment, Xu Qi’an, who had been gathering power, unleashed the greatest sword strike of his life.

This strike combined various spells, using the Great Feng Dynasty’s supreme divine weapon, the Nation-Stabilizing Sword, targeting the Vajra manifestation.

A flash of golden swordlight streaked across heaven and earth, appearing instantly at the Vajra manifestation’s chest.

The Vajra manifestation’s twelve pairs of arms were clasped together, but unlike the Acala Wisdom King manifestation, it couldn’t lock down space.

Thus it couldn’t resist the “Jade Shatter” technique’s unstoppable, unavoidable properties.

*BOOM!*

The world instantly boiled. The Five Elements churned in chaos, and space violently trembled on the brink of collapse.

The defenders on the city walls prostrated themselves, using the walls as a shelter against the raging spiritual energy turbulence. The distant Yun Province army fell into chaos, people and horses tumbling as formations destabilized.

Fortunately, though they lacked wall protection, they were far enough away. Otherwise, they’d have been caught in the crossfire of this battle between immortals.

“Huff… huff…”

Xu Qi’an leaned on his sword, breathing heavily.

In the air before him, Bodhisattva Karatra stood silently. The Acala Wisdom King manifestation was unharmed, but the Vajra manifestation’s chest was covered in cracks. The Nation-Stabilizing Sword’s unique properties prevented him from quickly repairing the Vajra manifestation.

The cracks continued spreading as the Vajra manifestation crumbled piece by piece, dissolving into scattered light.

*Crack…*

Spider-web fissures spread across Xu Qi’an’s chest.

The Jade Shatter technique had returned its power to him.

A Second-Rank warrior’s powerful self-healing ability repaired the wounds instantly. Apart from power consumption causing physical fatigue, there were no after-effects.

“ROAR!”

On Xun City’s walls, thousands of defenders roared in unison.

Powerful confidence bloomed in every defender’s heart. The blue-robed figure standing with his sword became like an unshakeable pillar of the nation.

With this, the dark cloud of the Supervisor’s death and Qing Province’s fall completely dissipated from the defenders’ hearts.

They had rekindled their belief in victory.

*If only the Gu Tribe had such a powerful leader, all of the Southern Borders would be ours…* On the walls, some Gu Tribe warriors gazed reverently at that figure’s back, inexplicably envying the Great Feng soldiers around them.

Due to the Gu God’s limited power and inability to be directly absorbed, Gu Tribe experts couldn’t contain divine power like Gu Beasts could, greatly inhibiting the emergence of transcendents.

The Gu Tribe rarely produced Second-Rank experts, with First-Rank being impossible.

Though Third-Rank leaders emerged steadily, they often died to transcendent Gu Beasts crawling from the Extreme Abyss.

Figures like Xu Qi’an were rare in Gu Tribe history.

Compared to the spirited Xun City defenders, the distant Yun Province army fell silent.

Ji Xuan stared blankly at Xu Qi’an, one thought repeating in his mind:

*Insurmountable!*

This undeniable fact filled his heart with towering flames of jealousy and rage.

“I nearly died nine times to reach Third-Rank, schemed endlessly, used the chaos of war to form a Blood Core and push my cultivation to mid-Third-Rank. Yet further progress with the Blood Core diminishes… Even having done all this, I still can’t catch up to him. Why? WHY?!”

Fury and envy nearly destroyed his rationality.

Before this battle, he’d thought he was close to Xu Qi’an’s level. The man had Demon-Sealing Nails in his body preventing cultivation progress, while Ji Xuan had advanced steadily. As one rose and one fell, his once-unreachable enemy should have lost his advantage.

Until now, I saw that terrifying sword strike that broke the Vajra manifestation.

Ji Xuan again felt that same helplessness he’d experienced outside Yong Province.

The only one unmoved by emotion was Xu Pingfeng. The circular formation beneath his feet spread without warning.

While Xu Qi’an, Luo Yuhen, and Kou Yangzhou were heavily depleted, as both armies processed the recent battle, the formation paired with the bronze artifact rapidly expanded. With lightning speed, it enveloped all the transcendent experts.

Almost simultaneously, a transmission formation of clear light appeared on the bronze disc’s surface. The next moment, it consumed the disc, sending it dozens of li into the high atmosphere.

Sun Xuanji sneered.

Xu Qi’an slowly curved his lips:

“Xu Pingfeng, trying to copy the method used against the Supervisor to deal with us?

“Your wisdom disappoints.”

No matter how powerful the Supervisor was, he was still alone with limited techniques.

But among them were warriors, Daoists, technicians, Confucians, and a near Third-Rank Seven-Venoms Gu.

Their diverse array of techniques far exceeded what a mere Supervisor could match.

Though any one of them would be defeated by the Supervisor, quantity could make up for quality. Each system had its specialties, and working together, they were harder to handle than a single Supervisor.

Watching his eldest son’s mocking gaze, Xu Pingfeng’s lips finally twitched.