Mayfly Gazing at the Azure Sky

The "immortal" that had dominated their consciousness since childhood, the very being they'd always known, was just killed with a single punch by Li Ji'an, someone they'd lived alongside as an "ordinary mortal."

This outcome completely shattered their understanding of the world.

It also left the faces of the others burning with shame.

When the young Immortal Master had previously declared Vital Energy and Blood useless for cultivation, they had felt a sliver of schadenfreude amidst their disappointment.

It wasn't that they were inherently dark-hearted; it was simply human nature.

After all, Li Ji'an had surpassed them in Martial Path strength for over a decade. Reaching Great Perfection of Vital Energy and Blood at twenty-seven, mastering external martial arts, and ranking in the top ten of the Grandmaster Ranking, even surpassing their clan's ancestors—his power left them no room for comparison.

Suddenly feeling like they might be able to surpass him, who wouldn't have such thoughts?

But now, they finally understood. Before encountering immortals, they saw Li Ji'an like frogs in a well looking at the moon.

Now, seeing Li Ji'an was like a mayfly gazing at the sky!

"You little thief! I'll tear you to shreds!" One of the cultivators battling the young Immortal Master in the distance sensed the change here, his eyes bloodshot, and he roared furiously.

"Don't get distracted!" another hastily reprimanded.

As for the masked cultivator below, after being splashed with blood by his companion, he immediately fled backward.

His heart had already been shattered by the formidable physique of the body cultivator, just as the "Blood Slave" had been terrified by them earlier.

"Is this an immortal? Heh~ Hehehe~" An Immortal Seed saw his fleeing posture and inexplicably burst into tears, filled with disappointment and self-mockery. He suddenly felt his lifelong dream of becoming an immortal had been shattered.

Li Ji'an gave him no chance to escape. His feet shifted, and he ghost-like appeared behind him. After shattering the cultivator's protective barrier with a punch, he easily pierced his chest with a sword condensed from Vital Energy and Blood. He died much more peacefully.

After a quick search of the body, besides the Flying Sword, there was nothing else. He also didn't find a storage bag like the young Immortal Master had.

He wasn't sure if it was due to poverty or if the cultivator deliberately left it behind for a mission.

The person Li Ji'an had punched to death didn't even have a Flying Sword.

"It's actually you!" Just then, a powerful shockwave erupted from the three cultivators battling in the distance.

The young Immortal Master's Stone Seal finally couldn't withstand the opponent's assault and exploded. The residual force of the explosion scattered the concealing halos on the two "Robber Cultivators," revealing their true faces.

"Guangling, don't blame us. If you blame anyone, blame yourself for being stubborn," the elder quickly regained his composure and sighed.

"You still have a chance. As long as you repent, Fifth Uncle guarantees he won't harm you!" another burly middle-aged man with a thick, tangled beard said with some urgency.

"I'm stubborn? Hmph! I think you're the ones who betrayed the family. You should be the ones repenting!" The young Immortal Master's Natal Magic Tool was destroyed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he yelled in anger and sorrow.

"Nonsense! We are doing this for the family! Otherwise, disaster will inevitably befall us!" the elder retorted excitedly.

"Hahaha, I know, I know it all. You're just doing this for your own selfish gain, so why pretend to be righteous! Go ahead and attack. When I reach the Yellow Springs, I will certainly report your crimes to our ancestors!"

Seeing that Guangling had given up resisting, the burly middle-aged man hurriedly said, "Guangling, you're too young. You've been misled. He is the one acting selfishly!"

"Enough nonsense. Since he refuses to see reason, don't blame us. Kill!" The elder patted his storage bag, and his Natal Magic Tool flew out.

Just now, to conceal their identities, they had not used their Natal Magic Tools or their specialized techniques.

"Hold on, let me try to persuade Guangling again!" The burly middle-aged man grew more anxious and quickly stepped in front of the elder, blocking his view.

"You..."

The moment the burly middle-aged man blocked the elder's line of sight, Guangling, who had appeared resigned to his fate, suddenly narrowed his eyes. Fierce determination flashed across his face as he reached for his storage bag with one hand.

"Those who betray the family shall die without a burial place! You all deserve to die!"

Boom~

A talisman appeared in Guangling's hand again. However, unlike the previous water curtain talisman, this one was not made of yellow paper but was a piece of crimson jade emitting flames.

As Guangling activated the Crimson Jade Talisman, a hundred-zhang-long giant Fire Dragon instantly erupted.

In almost an instant, the sky above seemed to turn into a sea of fire, accompanied by dragon roars that blotted out the sun.

Three breaths later, the Fire Dragon dissipated.

Three dark figures fell from above.

The burly middle-aged man, bearing the brunt of the attack, had a blackened back and showed no signs of life.

The elder's half-body was reduced to bone, with only a breath left.

He glanced sorrowfully at the dead burly man in front of him, his face filled with despair. "How many times have I told you, once you act, don't show any womanly kindness. You just never learn..."

He then looked at Guangling not far away. Guangling was not only coughing up blood but also had a spear piercing through his chest, the spear still emitting wisps of black energy.

"Heh~ In the end, I still couldn't outwit that old monster. To think he'd bestow such a precious talisman upon you... What a pity... Fortunately, it's not a complete failure. At least, for the next ten years, he won't have any Blood Slaves..." As the elder spoke with sorrow, he turned and saw Li Ji'an and the other four, and a smile returned to his face.

In this vast expanse of yellow sand, they wouldn't be able to find their way out on their own.

Guangling spat out a mouthful of blood. "Hahaha, traitors! With your stupidity, how could you possibly fathom the great wisdom of the Old Ancestor? I will definitely take them back..."

Before he could finish speaking, the elder's eyes widened abruptly.

Guangling had actually taken another porcelain bottle from his storage bag. He tipped the bottle, revealing a pill as lustrous and green as jade.

"Returning Yang Pill!"

"He... He actually gave you a Returning Yang Pill!"

The old man was utterly desperate this time.

With the Returning Yang Pill, Guangling wouldn't die.

And so...

"You must die!" The old man, who had been on the verge of death, suddenly surged with a final burst of energy, dragging his half-scorched body forward.

Guangling was horrified. He swallowed the Returning Yang Pill in one gulp and activated the last trace of Magical Power in his Dantian to resist.

The Returning Yang Pill could prevent the loss of his life source from severe injuries, but it wasn't a miraculous healing medicine.

If he suffered another fatal blow now, he would surely die!

"What are you all waiting for? Kill him quickly, or we'll all die!" Guangling shouted at Li Ji'an and the other four as the last trace of Magical Power in his Dantian was about to dry up.

"Brother Li..." The other four Immortal Seeds had all snapped out of their recent bloodlust. They no longer indulged in their past dreams of Immortals and once again looked to Li Ji'an for direction.

A smile flickered across Li Ji'an's lips as he immediately led the four towards Guangling.

"Quick! They are traitors to our clan and are here to kill you. Kill him quickly, and I will take you to cultivate Immortality!" Guangling, seeing that he couldn't hold on much longer, urged them again.

Li Ji'an's face showed apprehension. "But... he's an Immortal. I'm afraid that if..."

"Don't worry, I've already severely wounded him. The Magical Power in his Dantian has long since dissipated. He's just a trapped beast fighting its last battle. Without Magical Power to support him, he's no different from a mortal. Kill him!" Guangling's tone grew heavier.

Li Ji'an still cowered, afraid to approach, and cautiously asked again, "Then... does the Immortal Master have any Immortal Method that can prove I killed him? If his clansmen come seeking revenge, I..."

"Cowardly wretch, you infuriate me! If I tell you to kill him, I will naturally resolve your worries. Besides, we don't have such an Immortal Method!" Guangling was on the verge of losing his temper.

"Then will his accomplices sense his death and soul's dissipation and track us down for revenge..." Li Ji'an patiently continued to ask.

"You! Hmph, where are there so many great divine abilities? If you don't act now, I won't teach you Immortal Methods anymore." Guangling was almost spitting blood.

Li Ji'an slowly exhaled, "I see... then I understand!"

With that, he slowly walked towards the two of them.

Thank you to @SongTitleIsHard for the generous four monthly tickets.

Thank you to @Reader Driven by Interest, @Hong Fan at Dawn, @Peace and Joy for Life