Sacrificial Slash, One-Hit Kill

"Do not panic."

Feng Wuque was, after all, the scion of a great family with deep reserves of composure. Once he steadied his mind, the trepidation in his heart vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Looking at it from another perspective, if he could defeat this person right now, his reputation in Taiping City would reach its zenith. The establishment of the Taiping Martial Alliance would be foolproof, with no further obstacles in his path.

His family's grand plan would be realized!

With this thought, a calm smile gradually appeared on Feng Wuque's face.

He bit down gently on his lip.

An aura like a volcano about to erupt rose rapidly, condensing into a tangible, bright red stream of energy.

His aura continued to climb!

Seeing this, the crowd was instantly astonished. Among the several third-grade experts, everyone except Huan Lei wore a look of shock.

"This is... the aura of a Divine Aperture approaching the fourth grade..."

"Could it be... is he already nearing the fourth grade?"

"No... this... it's a bit strange..."

The group exchanged glances, unable to fully grasp the situation.

Only Huan Lei's eyes gleamed with intensity.

Off the stage.

"Huh... that is the aura of the Bitter Flesh Secret Medicine..." Shen Qingchan said in surprise.

"Bitter Flesh Secret Medicine?" Madam Shen was taken aback, her dark brows knitting together as she whispered, "I remember him saying that he had a brother who stole Bitter Flesh from the Iron Leg Sect..."

The two women looked at each other.

"This is going to be difficult to deal with," Shen Qingchan said in a low voice. "The Bitter Flesh Secret Medicine is a secret concoction invented by those Sorcerers to activate the demonic power hidden within Bitter Flesh... It can temporarily boost the strength of those who cultivate by consuming Bitter Flesh."

"Bitter Flesh is a forbidden food... I never expected this Feng Wuque to have used such a thing for his cultivation... No wonder he reached the third grade so quickly."

"Activating the demonic power within the Bitter Flesh..." Madam Shen pondered. "Even if he becomes stronger, wouldn't that play right into the hands of the Demon Sealers?"

The two seemed to have quite a bit of knowledge on the subject.

"No, I heard my master speak of this secret medicine," Shen Qingchan said, lost in thought. "The demonic power in Bitter Flesh is refined and brewed through many other ingredients. The higher the quality of the Bitter Flesh, the smaller the side effects. During normal cultivation, one cannot fully absorb the power within the Bitter Flesh."

"A portion of it remains behind, which is why consuming too much Bitter Flesh easily leads to demonic transformation."

"Under the influence of this secret medicine, once a person gains that demonic power, not only does their secret martial arts realm increase significantly, but they can also temporarily break through numerous Divine Apertures. When our Divine Apertures combine with the demonic power from the Bitter Flesh, we are no longer restricted by the Demon Sealers."

"Because humans are not true demons."

"If it's this state... I am indeed no match."

"This Feng Wuque intends to go all out..."

Shen Qingchan analyzed, "Judging from the situation just now, he relied on his superb combat experience and knowledge of numerous secret martial arts to easily deal with several opponents. While quite formidable, he was also somewhat arrogant. Feng Wuque saw this, and intended to turn the tables by erupting with his full strength to defeat him in one blow."

"In that case, the situation is not looking good."

However...

The truth was...

The next moment, the instant Feng Wuque's aura underwent a drastic change, the Demon Sealer struck in a flash.

He drew the long blade at his waist. Beneath his martial arts uniform, through the high-quality Ice Silkworm Silk fabric, crimson circuits emerged, flickering across his entire body like neon light strips. His long hair flew wildly, and with a single step, he covered over ten meters.

Boundless blood energy merged with the cold steel blade, and his eyes revealed a steel-like will of absolute death.

This strike was relentless, a path of no return.

"Sacrificial Slash!"

Before the person arrived, the blade fell.

The cold steel blade, covered in bright red blood energy, descended toward Feng Wuque ahead with the speed of thunder and the precision of a master.

At this moment, Feng Wuque's secret medicine had just been fully activated.

The timing was impeccable.

As the blade descended, Feng Wuque was terrified to the core. His surging power had not yet been fully adapted to, and it felt as if it had been sealed, causing him immense discomfort.

It was as if... the opponent had anticipated everything.

Boom!

The blade struck down, and the martial arts stage made of Quartzite was shattered by the immense power, kicking up countless dust and clouds of smoke.

The airflow, like a violent typhoon, forced the many guests below to cover their eyes with their arms to avoid being struck by the flying stone fragments.

When the dust settled, everyone saw that Feng Wuque was slumped in the cracks of the shattered stone. His original white robe was tattered, and his face was as pale as his clothes.

The long blade was embedded in the stone right beside his neck, seven inches deep, radiating a lingering, icy chill.

"You lost." The Demon Sealer pulled out his long blade.

The moment it was withdrawn, the sharp edge left a faint line of blood on Feng Wuque's neck through the air, as if declaring victory.

Seeing this scene, everyone was struck with immense shock.

"The head of the Taiping Martial Alliance."

The Demon Sealer scanned his surroundings. "Do any of you have any objections?"

Everyone remained silent, simply staring at this mysterious Demon Sealer.

Since when had such a young hero arrived in Taiping City?

[Achievement unlocked: 'Young Hero'.]

[Madam Shen's favorability increased 39/100]

Feng Wuque stood up with the support of several servants.

The remaining few third-rank experts took deep breaths before raising their hands one after another to show their stance.

"Who... exactly is this person?" Below the stage, Shen Qingchan watched with an expression of utter disbelief. "His attacks had no pattern at all. It felt as if he had already foreseen everything... he even knew that Feng Wuque would use a secret medicine..."

"Could it be that he did it on purpose? He acted that way just to let Feng Wuque see a false illusion; otherwise, why would he have struck so fiercely the moment he bit into the secret medicine in his tooth... Now that I think about it, that was the perfect moment to strike... If he hadn't predicted it in advance, how could he have done that?"

"This Demon Sealer is simply too formidable..."

Speaking of this, Shen Qingchan huffed. "To be the older brother of Young Hero Mu, he is indeed quite impressive... Come to think of it, he didn't even use his sword. I have only seen that Innate Sword Qi once... Is he still holding back?"

"..." Madam Shen.

Madam Shen did not speak; she only watched the Demon Sealer on the stage, clouds swirling in her eyes.

The banquet slowly came to an end. This banquet at the Feng Mansion would surely be something the many guests present would never forget for the rest of their lives.

A true young hero, a newly established Taiping Martial Alliance...

After the many guests had dispersed, Feng Wuque, having recovered, came to Madam Shen's side and spoke:

"Madam Shen, I have an important matter to discuss with you. Please stay at the Feng Mansion for a while longer."

"Today's business is finished, we are leaving!" Shen Qingchan drew the precious sword at her waist. "Hmph, it doesn't feel good to have worked for someone else's benefit, does it?"

Even if she didn't fully understand these power struggles, she knew that this Taiping Martial Alliance must have been a plan the Feng family had been plotting for a long time.

Shen Qingchan knew that if they wanted them to stay, it certainly wouldn't be for anything good.

Madam Shen glanced at him without saying a word.

"I hope Madam Shen... no..." Feng Wuque smiled slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Her Highness Yun... will consider it seriously?"

Madam Shen narrowed her eyes abruptly.

After a moment, Madam Shen turned to look at the Demon Sealer standing to the side, her expression unreadable as she stepped a little closer.

"What do you think?"

[1. Take Madam Shen and leave safely (Complete mission)]

[2. Stay and see.]

"Then we shall stay," the Demon Sealer said.