The official road was a scene of utter devastation.
The charred earth, scattered weapons, and fragments of damaged inner armor silently spoke of the fierce battle that had erupted here not long ago.
A faint trace of blood still lingered in the air.
A steady figure appeared soundlessly in the middle of the wreckage.
The newcomer wore the elder's robes of the Earth Origin Sect, similar to Yu He's, but the mountain patterns on his cuffs were more intricate and profound. His aura was also more obscure and restrained. He was Shi Jian, another of the Earth Origin Nine Elders.
He slowly swept his gaze over every detail of the scene. His face was as still as an ancient well, revealing not the slightest emotion.
A middle-aged disciple hurried forward and said in a grave voice, "Master, we've examined the scene. There are traces of Senior Brother Lu Da's Earth Splitting Palm Force, as well as fragments of Junior brother Zhao's Mountain Severing saber... Judging by the evidence, the four of them... likely all met with foul ends."
His voice carried suppressed fury and a trace of disbelief.
Shi Jian's gaze finally settled on several patches of darker charred earth, as though they had been corroded by strong acid. His eyes stirred slightly.
Corpse Dissolving Powder? A clean and ruthless method.
The disciple gritted his teeth and asked, "Master, who was the killer?"
"No aura was leaked at all. It's impossible to say for certain!"
Shi Jian shook his head, then asked instead, "Where is Yu He?"
His voice was calm, yet it carried an innate authority.
The disciple hastily replied, "Martial Uncle Yu exchanged a few moves with Shen Xiuyong of the Wutai Sect here earlier. After driving him back, he seemed to have... continued pursuing Chen Qing of