The Curtain Falls

"God Transformation Needle!"

Without hesitation, Gu Yuan unleashed his strongest move. The Spiritual Power radiating from him instantly condensed into a phantom needle no thicker than a finger.

"Spiritual Power materialized?"

Watching the spirit needle gradually solidify before Gu Ying, Lin Dong's heart jolted. Although the Divine Movement Chapter didn't record any techniques capable of materializing Spiritual Power, it had briefly described the might of such a move.

This technique, even if it struck a Late Heavenly Origin Stage expert, could damage their mental faculties—far more troublesome than Yuan Power attacks.

"Lin Dong, my shield might not block Gu Yuan's attack, but it can weaken it quite a bit. Leave Gu Yuan to you. I'll go help Uncle and the others take out the other Heavenly Origin Stage guys."

Lin Changqiang wasn't stupid. He wasn't even a One-Seal Talisman Master yet, so why would he go looking for trouble? Besides, Lin Dong could win without him before, and even more so now.

With that, he didn't even glance at Lin Dong before charging straight at the soldiers of the Lei and Xie families.

Facing Gu Yuan's attack, Lin Dong had no time to complain. His expression grave, he mobilized his Spiritual Power, manipulating nine Shattering Yuan Shuttles forged from black iron to shoot toward his opponent's vital points.

In response to the shuttles' assault, Gu Yuan only sneered. Flicking his fingers, two long swords flew out, spinning into a blur that intercepted all the shuttles.

"Boy, now let me show you what a Spiritual Secret Technique really is!"

The spirit needle finally reached its peak of condensation, radiating a dazzling white light. Gu Ying smiled grimly, pointing a finger. The spirit needle emitted a faint hum and, with a swish, shot toward Lin Dong at terrifying speed.

Lin Dong hastily retreated, waving his hand. The nine Shattering Yuan Shuttles all returned, forming a barrier before the needle.

A crack rang out. The clash lasted only a moment before the nine shuttles were pierced through by the God Transformation Needle, which continued toward Lin Dong with undiminished force.

Lin Dong's expression shifted drastically. The Natal Talisman Seal in his Mud Pill Palace pulsed wildly, and his formidable Spiritual Power rapidly gathered before him, forming a new defense behind the blue barrier.

Just then, Gu Yuan's God Transformation Needle arrived, slamming viciously into the blue barrier.

A shredding sound followed, and the shield shattered on impact, dissolving into countless crystalline blue specks that scattered on the wind.

The God Transformation Needle dimmed by more than a notch before striking Lin Dong's Spiritual Power defense.

Pfft.

After only a few seconds of stalemate, the needle slowly dissipated against the Spiritual Power.

"How is this possible?!" Gu Yuan's heart shook. He hadn't expected these two youths to block his ultimate move so easily. "Without that barrier, let's see how you block this!"

Gritting his teeth, Gu Ying bit his tongue. Two dazzling beams of light burst from his eyes, then condensed into two talisman seals.

Summoning his Natal Talisman Seals from his Mud Pill Palace, Gu Ying smiled confidently. The two seals, carrying surging Spiritual Power, slammed fiercely toward Lin Dong.

Seeing this, Lin Changqiang smiled in relief and returned to gleefully ganging up on the weaker foes.

Lin Dong's heart pounded. Just as he hesitated over whether to summon his own seal to clash with Gu Yuan's, the seal in his Mud Pill Palace suddenly flew out uncontrollably, charging straight at Gu Yuan's seals.

Under the stunned gazes of Lin Dong and Gu Yuan, Lin Dong's seal began to twist, rapidly transforming into a slowly spinning vortex in midair!

"Natal Spirit Talisman?!"

While Lin Dong was startled by the seal's transformation, Gu Ying cried out in terror. He immediately tried to recall his two Natal Talisman Seals back to his Mud Pill Palace.

But at that moment, the vortex suddenly spun faster, its suction force surging. Gu Yuan's seals visibly dimmed, while Lin Dong clearly felt his own Spiritual Power rising!

Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Gu Yuan's face twisted in agony as he desperately tried to pull his seals back. Just as he was about to retract them into his Mud Pill Palace, a voice tinged with delight rang out.

"Flame Vortex!"

That's right—Lin Changqiang! In this melee, he'd finally discovered the flaw in Fire Dance Whirlwind: this Martial Arts technique had a huge attack range!

A large attack range was an advantage, but in a chaotic brawl, it became a weakness. Whether it was the Five Fireball Technique for area coverage, the Flame Vortex for offense and defense, or Jetting Flames for sustained damage, they all easily hit allies.

So earlier, Lin Changqiang had relied on his cultivation advantage and picking off enemies one by one. But during Lin Dong and Gu Yuan's fight, the surging, dangerous Spiritual Power had scared everyone nearby into backing off!

"Ahhh—"

The searing pain twisted Gu Yuan's face, and his movements faltered. The two seals about to return to his Mud Pill Palace veered off course, shooting toward Lin Dong's vortex like arrows from a bowstring!

A whoosh sounded. The two already dim seals burst apart, scattering into countless specks of light that merged into the vortex. Only then did the vortex revert to its original seal, wobbling back into Lin Dong's Mud Pill Palace.

Pfft!

Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Gu Yuan could no longer support himself. With a thud, he collapsed to the ground, blood frothing from his lips. His gaze still held a trace of fear and hatred.

"The... Blood Clothes Sect... won't let you... go!"

With those words, he lay flat, no longer breathing.

"Gu Yuan is dead?"

The air seemed to freeze. Staring at Gu Yuan's unclosed eyes, everyone's hearts churned with shock. When they saw Lin Dong calmly walk over and collect Gu Yuan's Cosmic Bag, a chill ran down their spines.

Meanwhile, under Lin Changqiang's shamelessly proud sneak attacks, the Heavenly Origin Stage experts of the Lei and Xie families were all dead. In the entire hall, only Lei Bao and Lin Zhentian were still fighting...

"Lei Bao, take your own life." After trading another palm strike with Lei Bao, Lin Zhentian stood still, not advancing. Lin Changqiang, Lin Xiao, and the others, having finished their battles, silently surrounded him.

Lei Bao froze.

He lifted his head, lips slightly parted, his gaze dull as he swept his eyes across the hall. Then he slowly lowered his head.

His breathing grew heavier, his chest heaving violently. Seconds later, when Lei Bao raised his head again, everyone saw that his face was streaked with tears.

"Take my own life?"

"Hahaha, hahahaha!"

Under the shocked gazes of Lin Xiao and the others, Lei Bao suddenly burst into motion and charged straight at Lin Changqiang! Tears still streamed down his face, yet he laughed without restraint, wildly and recklessly.

"Stop him!" Lin Zhentian roared, joining those around him in an attempt to intercept Lei Bao, but Lin Changqiang raised a hand to halt them.

He watched Lei Bao approach, silently drawing the Dragon Gallbladder Bright Silver Spear. He pointed the tip forward and channeled all his Yuan Power, layering it onto the weapon.

The spear tip blazed with dazzling light, but Lei Bao neither dodged nor avoided—his smile only grew wider.

"Shhk—"

The spear pierced through his chest, tearing a massive bloody hole in his body. Yet he paid it no mind, instead crashing straight into Lin Changqiang, splattering blood everywhere...

"..." Lin Changqiang stared at the now-lifeless corpse, stunned for a moment, his breathing growing heavier.

He silently withdrew the spear, carefully lowered the body to the ground, and gently closed the man's eyes.

"...He didn't use any Yuan Power. He only wanted to die."