“That must be the Floating Cloud Sect’s Heaven-Piercing Shuttle. Judging by its direction, it must be Pei Qingxuan.”
A quarter of an hour ago.
Just outside the City of Zhaoge.
Dozens of practitioners of the Magical Path had already gathered.
The news that the Floating Cloud Sect Master Pei Qingxuan was still alive had spread throughout the Cultivation World ever since she appeared in the imperial city.
Back then, several Major Demonic Sects joined forces with dozens of Minor Demonic Sects and, at the cost of hundreds of demonic disciples, managed to seriously wound Pei Qingxuan.
Now that she had returned once more, all those sects, whether major or minor, feared she would come seeking revenge.
Right now, Pei Qingxuan’s strength was unmatched in the Cultivation World.
In these past centuries, most demonic sects hardly dared leave their mountains, afraid of provoking this killer god and being annihilated.
“Are you sure that woman has been seriously wounded? If she truly is gravely injured, why would she come to the City of Zhaoge alone?”
The one questioned wore a brown long robe, stood about one meter seventy, and gave off a strangely insubstantial presence.
“My ancestor said that Pei Qingxuan was destined to perish in calamity, but for some unknown reason, she managed to survive a while longer. Now, under the operation of the Heavenly Dao, the Sword Dao—focused on slaughter—can never ascend to immortality. Her tribulation is predestined by the heavens. All you need to do is kill her.”
“If what you say is true, then how did she survive the ambush half a year ago? I think you’re hiding something. You haven’t even revealed your true face, only using this long-distance shadow transmission. You’re not even here in person, but manipulating us from afar… I suspect you have ulterior motives!”
“Whether you believe me or not is up to you. My intentions and plans are none of your concern. Even if I told you, it would be like playing the lute to a cow. Today… Pei Qingxuan is fated for disaster, but if she overcomes it, then even the Heavenly Dao won’t be able to touch her for some time. When that happens… Your demonic sects will just be waiting to be slaughtered—none will be left alive.”
At these words, the demonic sect practitioners fell silent.
In the end, it was the Supreme Lord of Bloodfiend Hall, Qi Guan Xuehe, who spoke first.
“That’s true. No matter who you are, rat hiding in the shadows, whatever your plans, Pei Qingxuan must die. Otherwise, our demonic path will never rise. Today… we’ll go along with your wishes. But don’t forget—whether we succeed or not, you must fulfill every one of your promises to us!”
The brown-robed man nodded slightly.
“Naturally. Didn’t I already give you the deposit?
There’s no need to worry. Whether or not we manage to kill Pei Qingxuan today, you’ll get everything that was promised.”
“Good. Since that’s settled… Fellow brothers of the demonic sects, as long as Pei Qingxuan lives, our sects will never see the light of day. Whatever this person’s real motives, we must strike her down, lest she comes knocking on our doors later.”
“The Supreme Lord of Bloodfiend Hall speaks the truth. If Pei Qingxuan survives, we’ll all die sooner or later!”
“I also support Qi Guan Xuehe. We must not let Pei Qingxuan live any longer!”
“Very well… Since everyone has decided, let’s begin!”
At this, the Supreme Lord of Bloodfiend Hall, Qi Guan Xuehe, took a deep breath.
“In that case, I’ll start—Tianxue Dishasha Formation, arise—!”
As soon as he finished, a strange formation suddenly rose before the Supreme Lord of Bloodfiend Hall.
The formation surged with murderous blood energy, making everyone’s hair stand on end.
Inside… countless Hundreds of Souls struggled and wailed in agony within the blood mist!
Qi Guan Xuehe formed the Sword Seal with his fingers and pointed at the Golden Boat in the distance!
“Ten Thousand Bloods and Thousand Fiends—kill!!”
The word ‘kill’ rang out. In an instant, the formation’s Hundreds of Souls exploded, their grievances and the blood mist condensing into a single sword of blood fiend resentment, shooting straight at the Golden Boat.
A thunderous boom resounded!
The moment the Blood Sword struck the Golden Boat, its defensive formation activated on its own.
But with no one controlling it, the formation was hurriedly triggered and could not block the Tianxue Dishasha Formation’s assault, shattering in mere moments.
The next second, the Bloodfiend great sword pierced the Golden Boat.
The moment the two made contact, a deafening crash echoed out!
Unable to withstand the Blood Sword, a huge crack split the bottom of the Golden Boat. Though the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle was a unique treasure of the Floating Cloud Sect, it was not a weapon for attack or defense.
As a result, the Heaven-Piercing Shuttle had very little defensive capability.
Coupled with the severe blow it received, it immediately lost its original function and the entire Golden Boat capsized in an instant.
At this moment, the people inside the boat still didn’t know what had happened.
Xu Ping’an wrapped his arms around Li Yuer the moment the cabin overturned.
The hull tilted backward.
He didn’t know any immortal arts—he couldn’t fly, and even a fall from a few meters could break his leg.
There was nothing to be done. He was just an ordinary person with the body of a mortal.
Though the boat was small, the cabin space was quite ample.
When the hull tilted, Xu Ping’an held Li Yuer close and reached out—
—grabbed for Li Zhi’er.
Luckily, they hadn’t been sitting far apart, so the momentum helped, but instead of grabbing Li Zhi’er, his hand caught Xiao Jing’er.
There was no time to care about anything else. Xu Ping’an turned, putting himself underneath, and the world spun chaotically.
With a heavy thud, still clutching two people, his back slammed into the deck. The impact almost knocked the breath from Xu Ping’an.
Before he could react, yet another girl fell from above.
In that instant, he made a split-second decision, pushing Xiao Jing’er and Li Yuer to either side.
Then, the petite Li Zhi’er landed squarely on his chest.
There was a dull snap.
Xu Ping’an couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
Mainly because it hurt.
At least three ribs had snapped instantly.
Fortunately, little Li Zhi’er was frail and sickly to begin with—her body was light, or she might have crushed him to death.
But even so, it was almost more than he could bear.
“Husband!!”
At this moment, Pei Qingxuan reacted as well.
She quickly formed a hand seal, spiritual energy surging, and instantly stabilized the capsized Golden Boat.
Then she tossed a small bell to Xu Ping’an.
“Catch!”
Xu Ping’an trusted Pei Qingxuan completely.
Almost without thinking, he reached out and grabbed the bell.
In the next instant, his Chaos Golden Eyes saw the spiritual energy erupting from the small bell.
The bell expanded with the wind, and in a flash, enveloped Xu Ping’an and the other three within.
Only Pei Qingxuan remained outside the bell.
At the same time, Xu Ping’an heard Pei Qingxuan’s voice in his ears.
“Husband, rest assured within the Tianming Bell. Leave everything else to me.”
Even though Pei Qingxuan hadn’t said what was happening, the Chaos Golden Eyes, with their power to see through all things, allowed Xu Ping’an
to see the situation outside.
At this moment, nearly a hundred Practitioners had surrounded the Golden Boat completely!