Strength to Achieve, Defeat the Five Hearts

Though he sat on the coffin, looking quite imposing, only the Five Hearts Sect Leader himself could feel the hairs on his back standing on end, one by one.

This Stitched Monster was the culmination of his life's work, formed from those within the sect who cultivated the Five Hearts Technique.

Each part retained the strength it possessed before being combined.

After their fusion, they had reached the peak of the Dao Repository Realm, just half a step away from entering the Three Treasures Realm.

Yet, when facing Shen Bai, this monster became so utterly powerless.

"Who is this person?"

"How can Ascending Cloud County have someone like this? Isn't it a bit exaggerated for such a master to appear in a small county town?"

The Five Hearts Sect Leader placed his hand on the edge of the coffin, his fingers closing tightly, gripping it with all his might.

He gouged deep indentations into the coffin.

Shen Bai didn't know what these two were thinking; he was already fully immersed in the battle.

"Awesome, so awesome! It's been a long time since I felt this good!"

Shen Bai couldn't help but shout aloud.

Ever since he gained the Cheat System, almost none of the enemies he encountered were a match for him.

Shen Bai knew he had a cheat, so being a bit stronger was normal, but he felt a sense of loneliness typical of a true master.

After several battles, he had already understood what the loneliness described in novels truly meant.

Now, with a Stitched Monster appearing that could exchange blows with him in this most primal way, the wild desire within Shen Bai's heart was soaring.

"Again!"

Buddha's Light enveloped his hands.

Shen Bai felt this battle would be a hard-fought, drawn-out affair.

However, what happened next left Shen Bai somewhat disappointed.

With his emerald green light protecting him, combined with the terrifying Buddha's Light, the Stitched Monster's limbs were visibly diminishing at a rapid rate.

Its body, originally as tall as the grotto, continuously shrank.

Every punch from Shen Bai tore away flesh and blood.

The stench of blood permeated the grotto.

Ten meters, six meters... three meters!

Gradually, the Stitched Monster's body rapidly shrunk.

Before long, it was only two meters tall.

Only a few heads remained, its arms were broken and mangled, and even its torso showed signs of decay.

Shen Bai threw another punch, and the golden Buddha's Light, imbued with the intent of a Wrathful Vajra, completely shattered the body before him.

Countless wisps of smoke filled the grotto.

As Shen Bai retracted his fist, he felt half of his Qi had been expended, and he shook his head.

"It's still not quite enough. Just when I started getting into it, you're already dead."

This statement was particularly jarring in the silent grotto.

Not far away, Cheng Shuang subconsciously wiped her forehead.

A cold sweat beaded on her fair forehead, dampening her palm.

She suddenly felt that exchanging a jade pendant for Shen Bai's help was an incredibly worthwhile deal.

If she were in Maple Forest Province, trying to find such a master for assistance, they wouldn't even spare a glance at a mere Bizarre Item.

Yet, Shen Bai had helped her.

"Perhaps this esteemed master inherently dislikes the Five Hearts Sect, so he merely went with the flow."

Cheng Shuang could only attribute all the reasons to this.

Shen Bai didn't know what Cheng Shuang was thinking, as he had already fixed his gaze on the Five Hearts Sect Leader.

Especially the ancient scripture in the Five Hearts Sect Leader's left hand.

The excitement in Shen Bai's eyes burned brighter.

The Five Hearts Sect Leader felt Shen Bai's gaze pierce him and only then realized his back was drenched in sweat.

He quickly made a move, flipping himself into the coffin.

Fight?

Impossible.

Fighting Shen Bai at this moment would be sheer fantasy.

Shen Bai had just dealt with the Stitched Monster and was at the peak of his power.

The Five Hearts Sect Leader certainly didn't believe he was stronger than the Stitched Monster.

The moment he flipped into the coffin, the iron chains embedded in it snapped.

A hurricane erupted within the cave.

Propelled by the hurricane, the coffin drilled towards an adjacent section of the cave.

They say a cunning rabbit has three burrows, and the Five Hearts Sect Master also had his own escape route.

What appeared to be a dead end was merely an illusion.

Once they broke through that stone wall, the coffin would carry him swiftly away from this dangerous place.

But the next moment, the Five Hearts Sect Master realized something was wrong.

He felt as if the coffin couldn't fly at all, as if something was pulling it back with immense force.

He turned his head and saw a sight that made his soul flee.

Shen Bai had one hand gripping the iron chain, golden Buddha's Light covering it, preventing the coffin from moving another inch.

The power attribute of the Vajra Demon-Subduing Fist was unleashed to its fullest by Shen Bai at this moment.

"Trying to run? Did you ask me first?"

Shen Bai pushed off with his legs, pulling the iron chain behind him, the Buddha's Light on his arm flickering.

A tremendous force surged along the iron chain, extending to the coffin.

This coffin was given an over-the-shoulder throw by Shen Bai.

"BANG!"

With a dull thud, the coffin crashed to the ground, shattering into countless splinters.

Inside the coffin, the Five Hearts Sect Master, covered in injuries, struggled to get up.

Before he could react, he felt a chilling sensation at his neck.

He opened his eyes to see Shen Bai's longsword pressed against his throat.

In his ear, a voice, like that of a Bizarre Entity, sent shivers down his spine.

"You're stitched together quite well. What if I were to cut off these parts again? Would you still be able to live?"

"I…"

Hearing these words, the Five Hearts Sect Master couldn't help but tremble.

"Mercy, mercy, I was just momentarily confused! This wasn't what I wanted to do; I was merely a pawn used by them."

The Five Hearts Sect Master pleaded frantically for his life.

As strong as he had been moments ago, that's how terrified he was now.

Shen Bai chuckled, "I much prefer your rebellious look. You can try to recover it."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."

The Five Hearts Sect Master kowtowed again, "Master, spare me! This was all the Upper Evil Gate's doing. They made me spread the Five Hearts Technique here; it was all at their instigation."

Upper Evil Gate?

Shen Bai rubbed his chin, "What kind of force is that?"

Beside him, Cheng Shuang's expression had already changed.

Upon hearing Shen Bai's question, her face turned extremely pale.

"That's a truly disgusting force, like rats scurrying across the street. Located in Maple Forest Province, they believe in indulging their true nature and commit countless evil deeds."

"Everyone in that force is evil, and they've been officially designated as people who must be eliminated by Maple Forest Province."

"But they're extremely well-hidden and difficult to find. We might be in a bit of trouble now."

Shen Bai frowned, "How much trouble?"

Cheng Shuang slowly said, "The Upper Evil Gate is all about vengeance. If they find out the Five Hearts Sect Master died by our hands, I'm afraid…"

She didn't finish her sentence, because Shen Bai's longsword had already moved.

The Five Hearts Sect Master's head was pierced by the longsword and pinned to the ground.

"This way, no one will find out."