Relief

"Where is this?"

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Yi finally woke up. Seeing Wang Mingxuan with his chest pierced in front of him, he finally understood that he hadn't been killed.

He examined himself internally and discovered that his previously shattered meridians had already healed. The Essence of Flora within his body had vanished, presumably used up to repair his meridians. However, a trace of sword energy, like a persistent ulcer, churned chaotically within him, causing him immense pain.

"This blood curse technique is truly bizarre."

Shen Yi struggled to his feet and went to Wang Mingxuan's side. He took out the half of the stone key he had, and then took out the other half he held. As expected, they could be pieced together to form a complete key. Shen Yi, impatient, took out the stone casket and inserted the key.

Meanwhile, Jiang Miaoyi and the others arrived at a room at the end of the passageway. More than a dozen people were already confronting each other there. Upon seeing Jiang Miaoyi and her group, their expressions changed, and they took a few steps closer to each other.

"There are so many magical treasures and spirit artifacts in here, and also many high-grade pills and spirit herbs. On the other side, there are ancient books and secret techniques. It seems Senior Brother Shen was right."

Jiang Miaoyi said as she turned back, simultaneously signaling her companions to be vigilant.

"Soul Summoning Banner!"

Wang Teng immediately recognized the black banner planted on the circular disk in the center of the room. His eyes lit up with eagerness, but he suppressed his overwhelming desire and, along with Jiang Miaoyi and the others, cautiously observed the dozen or so people.

"Fellow cultivators, I am An Ping, a disciple of the Ninghai branch of the Mysterious Nether Cult. These few are my fellow disciples. Today, we wish to ask all fellow cultivators to grant us a favor and let us have this banner. Our Mysterious Nether Cult will be eternally grateful. The remaining items can be distributed as you see fit."

Seeing the stalemate, the disciple from the Mysterious Nether Cult spoke. He immediately asked for the Soul Summoning Banner, which immediately drew the hostility of the others.

"The Mysterious Nether Cult has always acted erratically. How can we trust you? Why don't you withdraw now, and we will share the benefits with you."

The scene was divided into three factions: five from the Mysterious Nether Cult, four from Jiang Miaoyi's group, and five rogue cultivators. The one who spoke in rebuttal was from the rogue cultivator faction.

Seeing that negotiations had failed, the two groups drew their weapons. Suddenly, the atmosphere became extremely tense, with swords drawn and spears brandished.

"Attack!"

An Ping shouted, and the ten of them simultaneously attacked Jiang Miaoyi's group of four.

"Shameless!"

Jiang Miaoyi berated them. She signaled Wu Liujian and Yuwen Yue to protect Wang Teng behind them. For a time, the room was filled with flashing blades and surging spiritual energy. However, Jiang Miaoyi's group was already outnumbered and had to protect Wang Teng. After a short struggle, they fell into a disadvantage. Wu Liujian, who was at the forefront, was the most severely injured. Fortunately, he had the Crimson Firmament Sword's augmentation, otherwise, his life would have been in danger.

Wu Liujian stood at the forefront, his sword in hand, covered in wounds, some of which were deep enough to expose bone. He still didn't take a single step back. Jiang Miaoyi and Yuwen Yue were also in a sorry state, with several new injuries. Wang Teng, ignoring his own injuries, drew his Ink Saber and stood shoulder to shoulder with them.

"Damn it, he's quite resilient!"

An Ping cursed, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. He was clearly not lightly injured. Looking around, his companions had also suffered injuries, both minor and major.

"All together!"

An Ping waved his saber and led his men to charge again. By now, Jiang Miaoyi's group had exhausted their spiritual energy and were only holding on by sheer willpower. Wu Liujian had even lost the strength to lift his sword. As their opponents' weapons swung towards them again, Jiang Miaoyi swung her long sword, just managing to deflect a weapon. Another wave of attacks was coming, and she had no time to retract her sword. Jiang Miaoyi cast a lingering glance at her companions, turned her head, and slowly closed her eyes.

Death did not come as expected. Jiang Miaoyi opened her eyes and saw a familiar figure standing in front of her, holding a halberd and blocking her path.

"You dare to harm my fellow disciples, you deserve to die!"

The person was none other than Shen Yi. At that moment, he had opened the stone casket and discovered it contained a halberd. It was entirely black, emitting a chaotic aura. The halberd was engraved with true dragons, as if it could soar into the sky with a surge of spiritual energy. Without time to tend to his injuries, Shen Yi took out the halberd and rushed all the way, finally arriving in time to prevent the tragedy of Jiang Miaoyi's demise.

Wielding the Coiled Dragon Halberd, Shen Yi's long hair flew wildly, like a demon god from the ninth heaven, looking down upon his enemies.

The halberd swung, stirring up gusts of wind that roared towards the opposite side. The ten people dared not delay and jointly resisted, creating a stalemate.

"Take the banner!"

Shen Yi's expression was blank, his eyes fixed on the opposite side. He shouted loudly, urging Wang Teng and the others to quickly seize the Soul Summoning Banner. An Ping and the others looked anxious, but the spiritual energy stalemate had formed a delicate balance. Whichever side withdrew their spiritual energy would inevitably suffer a backlash.

"Do you think it's that easy!"

An Ping roared, slapping his chest and spitting out a mouthful of vital blood, which sprinkled onto the weapon in his hand. Instantly, it shone with dazzling light, and its immense power sent Shen Yi flying. "Stop them!" An Ping's aura weakened, but he did not forget his ultimate goal.

Shen Yi ignored his injuries and instantly thrust his halberd forward, blocking the path, his gaze stern.

"What terrifying eyes!"

The crowd was shocked, and some were hesitant to move. Seeing that Wang Teng had already touched the Soul Summoning Banner, a few disciples of the Mysterious Nether Cult could no longer hold back.

"Attack together! He's heavily injured and just putting on a show!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd's morale surged, and they charged forward again. Various weapons, wrapped in spiritual energy gusts, slashed through the sky and earth towards Shen Yi. Shen Yi snorted coldly, channeling all his spiritual energy into the Coiled Dragon Halberd, and unleashed the Sun Piercer Halberd Technique.

"Boom—"

The two forces collided violently, emitting a deafening roar. The entire room shook. Shen Yi was the first to bear the brunt, falling to his knees, blood gushing from his chest. On the other side, the crowd also suffered heavy casualties, with two people dying on the spot. However, the remaining individuals, though severely injured, were still able to move.

As Wang Teng grasped the Soul Summoning Banner, a pillar of light illuminated from beneath his feet. Jiang Miaoyi and the others were slowly lifted into the air by the light pillar, their bodies almost ethereal.

"Teleportation array!"

The Mysterious Nether Cult members exclaimed upon seeing this and, disregarding their companions, stumbled towards the teleportation array. This was their last chance to escape alive.

"Senior Brother Shen, quickly, the teleportation array won't last long!"

Wang Teng shouted. Wu Liujian and the others also urged him with anxious faces. Shen Yi struggled to get up. The short distance of a few meters felt as vast as the horizon. At this point, he could no longer suppress the cursed sword energy left by Wang Mingxuan within him; even lifting his hand had become difficult.

Seeing this, Jiang Miaoyi wanted to rush out of the light pillar to help, but found she couldn't. Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched Shen Yi disappear from her sight with a look of despair.

Shen Yi collapsed on the ground, watching the last trace of light vanish before his eyes. A smile appeared on his face, but it was impossible to discern whether it held joy or sorrow.

Suddenly, a black mist shot into Shen Yi's body with lightning speed.

"It's not dead!"