Sudden Outburst

"Many thanks for the reminder, Daoist. The green mountains remain, the long rivers flow; we shall meet again in the Jianghu."

The sense of unease in his heart grew heavier.

Zhang Long and the others hurriedly cupped their fists toward Mao Ba, preparing to leave with Zhao Wei's personal effects.

As for holding a grudge against Wu Dao?

They hadn't even considered it, nor did they intend to inform their superiors.

Someone like Wu Dao.

Unless they were certain they could crush him to death in one go, he would be a source of endless trouble. If they brought such calamity upon White Whale Martial Arts Hall, they would be the ones to blame.

Of course.

The most important thing was.

White Whale Martial Arts Hall had no solid ground to target Wu Dao; after all, Wu Dao wasn't the one who killed Zhao Wei. At most, he could only be accused of failing to save a life.

"You... forget it."

The spineless attitude of the three men made Mao Ba, who had been raised on the firm belief that good and evil could never coexist, feel deeply indignant.

In his view.

The three of them should immediately return to the White Whale Martial Arts Hall headquarters to report this and issue a Jianghu Kill Order to execute the fiend Wu Dao.

However.

Once he considered that White Whale Martial Arts Hall wasn't exactly a righteous organization to begin with.

He couldn't be bothered to say more, preparing to take Yun Tianliu's belongings to Fangcun Sword Hall later.

Rumble--

But just as Zhang Long and the others were about to set off.

Rolling thunder echoed, and birds scattered in alarm.

An unnaturally strong wind whipped into their faces, carrying with it a suffocating, explosive bestial ferocity.

In the distance, a colossal beast seemed to be sprinting at full speed, shaking the heavens and the earth, kicking up clouds of dust and debris as it charged toward their position with terrifying velocity.

A monster?

A Great Demon?

As the group felt that overwhelming, stampeding aura of a caged beast unleashed, their expressions changed simultaneously, and without a second thought, they prepared to turn and flee.

Unfortunately...

They were too slow.

They had barely recovered from their shock.

Wu Dao's body, resembling a red-hot Steel Tyrannosaurus, appeared before them, carrying a violent shockwave that swept through the forest.

In less than the blink of an eye.

BOOM!!

Airflow surged and whirled, backfilling in a violent vortex.

The surrounding vegetation was flattened and whipped about, while soil, wood, and stone fragments exploded in all directions like bullets, the thud-thud-thud sound incessant.

Zhang Long and the three others, caught in the direct impact of the storm, had to use every ounce of their strength just to maintain their footing, struggling to open their eyes to look.

"Wu Dao!!"

When they saw the familiar yet unrecognizable figure of Wu Dao in the center of the storm—towering and fierce, like a Mad Beast or a malevolent demon—

The three men, already harboring psychological trauma, felt their hearts contract as if gripped by a giant hand, and they collapsed onto the ground on the spot.

Mao Ba's pupils shrank.

His heart was shaken to its core!

As an Immortal Cultivator at the peak of Divine Strength with mental perception far exceeding those of his rank, how could he not feel that the Wu Dao standing before him was more than twice as strong as he had been last night!

Heavy, vast, and indestructible!

He was nothing short of a human Steel Tyrannosaurus!

Not to mention...

Hiss!

Mao Ba suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head. When his mental perception touched the surface of Wu Dao's body, it slammed into a layer of incredibly violent and vicious Mental Armor, nearly causing his brain to explode!

Mental Armor!

This was a technique only possessed by martial artists who had undergone a Second Rebirth!

In just one night!

In just one short night, how on earth did he manage this?

Even with the Demon Core of a Flesh Tai Sui.

It was impossible to digest it all in a single night; this was a process that required slow, steady effort.

All sorts of events that shattered one's worldview were manifesting in reality through Wu Dao.

Mao Ba's emotions surged like a stormy sea—hatred, shock, confusion, bewilderment...

Finally.

All of those emotions.

Vanished the moment Wu Dao turned his gaze toward him, those eyes occupied entirely by pure blackness, staring out like a bottomless abyss.

They were replaced by the primal, genetic fear of a lower organism facing an apex predator, leaving him trembling uncontrollably.

Mao Ba!

Wu Dao narrowed his eyes, casting a faint glance at the crooked-necked Mao Ba.

When he saw the fragments of Yun Tianliu's broken sword in Mao Ba's hand!

A surge of killing intent welled up violently in Wu Dao's heart.

He hadn't expected Mao Ba's life to be so tenacious!

Despite the severe injuries from last night, he had managed to recover after only a single night, even if he still looked somewhat weak and powerless.

But!

Mao Ba's mistake was returning to the scene so soon!

With Mao Ba's keen perception.

He would naturally notice many things that ordinary people would miss and realize what Wu Dao had done.

Coupled with a personality as intolerant of evil as Yun Tianliu's, if he were to spread word of what happened here...

Wu Dao would undoubtedly be painted across the martial arts world as a heinous demon, someone every righteous person would want to execute!

Wu Dao was no reckless brute who enjoyed being an enemy to the world, charging about and shouting for blood without a care for the consequences.

He did not enjoy living a life of bitter grievance.

As long as people didn't provoke him and his interests weren't at stake, he wasn't some lunatic who felt itchy if he didn't kill someone every day.

He only cared for tangible benefits.

Allowing unnecessary, minor troubles to persist.

When they could clearly be nipped in the bud, only to invite discomfort upon oneself later.

That wasn't boldness.

That was being brain-damaged!

Therefore.

Since a hidden danger had been discovered.

It had to be strangled in the cradle!

Thinking of this.

Wu Dao's mental perception blanketed the surrounding hundred meters, and after confirming no "outsiders" were hiding nearby, a cruel smile slowly curled onto his lips.

Thump.

Mao Ba's soul was instantly enveloped in an endless chill, as if he were being stared at by a ferocious beast; his hair stood on end, his chest felt constricted, and the alarm bells in his heart rang wildly.

How could he not realize it?

Wu Dao had already marked him for death!

"Daoist, I trust you've been well."

Wu Dao cracked his neck, the joints popping loudly, his pitch-black eyes staring like a predator at Mao Ba, who was slowly retreating and reaching into his Divination Bag as if facing a great enemy.

A faint, mocking smile hung on his face: "Don't be so nervous. I, too, feel deep regret over Brother Yun's death.

Judging by your intentions, Daoist.

Are you planning to send Brother Yun back home?

Tsk.

The journey is long and arduous.

Why don't...

I, Wu, see you off on your way!!"

BOOM!!

Before his words had even faded.

A thunderous roar erupted from the flat ground; the earth violently disintegrated and collapsed, with soil and rock surging like waves.

He couldn't be bothered with any more nonsense!

He struck directly!

The body of the Steel Tyrannosaurus crushed the airflow and tore through the Gale Wind, its unrivaled power whipping up a tempestuous storm!

It happened in less than a fleeting moment.

The sky-blocking, towering physique, radiating a tragic and ferocious aura, had already appeared before Mao Ba!

"Don't even think about it!!"

At the critical juncture of life and death, Mao Ba's expression turned vicious as he activated the last silver talisman in his Divination Bag.

Ever since he decided to return to the scene.

To avoid any unforeseen circumstances.

He had prepared this final silver talisman long ago; now, with a mere thought, he unleashed its power!

This talisman was—

The Golden Bell Talisman!!

Clang—

Golden light shone brilliantly as a great bell enveloped his body!

Wu Dao clenched his fist, slamming down with a magnificent Whale Hammer Style.

His fist of steel resembled a Savage Whale headbutting the ocean; the heavy and vast power poured onto the golden bell, instantly sparking a shower of flames as the sound waves shook the surroundings in all directions!

Boom!

The impact was like the collision of a mountain!

The ground was struck as if by a missile, instantly collapsing and exploding, sending dust soaring into the sky!

The surrounding earth shattered continuously, heaving and rolling like ocean waves, while the violent airflow erupted in concentric rings, whipping up a towering cloud of yellow dust that rolled and surged.