Slaying

"Brother Huangfu, it's already the sixth day. The cultivators inside have probably all cleared out by now, haven't they?"

"Don't rush. Wait a little longer."

"The Primordial Taoist Temple's formation is about to open. I need to go lend the young master a hand."

"Brother Murong, what are you in such a hurry for? It's not as if you haven't gotten your share of the gains these past few days. Those Rogue Cultivators are all like rats—unless they wait until ten days after the Immortal Treasury opens, they won't come out..."

"No matter how small a mosquito is, it is still meat. We collateral-line disciples can't get any benefits within the clan, and we can't compete with the main family within the Immortal Treasury either. This is a rare opportunity—we can't let those fellows go."

The mountain path was perilous and steep. Three young men stood blocking the way.

Traces of many magical battles could be seen along the narrow road. Faint bloodstains remained. Though the corpses had been thoroughly disposed of, the thick scent of blood still lingered through the mountains.

Suddenly, one of the black-robed youths frowned.

"Hmm?"

Huangfu Yang drew out a dharma sword and gazed into the depths of the dense forest. The night wind passed through it, swaying the treetops.

Seeing this, the other two also warily brought out their magical artifacts.

In the distant forest, Xu Yan let his left hand hang loosely at his side, pressed against his Qiankun Bag. His right hand held the Green Pattern Sword. With an unruffled expression, he strolled out of the darkness.

Of these three, the black-robed Taoist in the center was at the fourth level of Pulse Opening, with a fire-element Spirit Meridian.

The other two were both at the second level of Pulse Opening.

Huangfu Yang raised a brow, narrowing his eyes as he regarded Xu Yan with an amused look.

"This fellow Daoist looks somewhat familiar."

"Brother Huangfu, isn't he the fellow Daoist whom the Dharma King guided at Dragon Whisker Ravine?" The gaunt youth recognized Xu Yan and spoke casually.

Outside Dragon Whisker Ravine, the Dharma King had guided thirty or forty people. It was not a large number, naturally drawing the attention of the surrounding Taoists. Xu Yan had been the last person to receive the Dharma King's guidance, so he had become a familiar face among the many Taoists.

"I recognize him. Isn't this Half-Immortal Xu from the Langya Immortal Inn?"

The original owner had not idled away the past half year around Dragon Spine Mountain for nothing. Quite a few people recognized this Taoist who had some attainments in Mystic Gate arts. He often helped others divine their fortunes, earning himself the nickname Half-Immortal Xu.

Of course, in the present circumstances, the words carried a touch more mockery.

"You three are from Nine Star Kui Island?"

Xu Yan asked evenly.

Nine Star Kui Island and its twelve clans were renowned throughout eastern Cang Province.

Within the entire Taiyuan Divine Sect, there were five ancient great family lineages, the mightiest of all. They had existed since the primordial era, when the Divine Sect first sailed the seas and established its sect. The Patriarchs of those ancient families had all been True Person Taiyuan's direct disciples—the first generation of disciples.

The Tushan Lineage of Heavenly Foxes on Taihang Mountain and the Jiang clan of the Jiang Family Sword Tomb were both among the five ancient great families.

As for Nine Star Kui Island, it was the largest clan power within the Divine Sect aside from the five ancient great families.

True to its name, the island consisted of "nine stars"—nine spirit islands in the Azure Sea connected together. The ancestors of the island's twelve clans had been second-generation disciples accepted by True Person Taiyuan after he came to the Azure Sea and established the sect in the primordial era.

"Fellow Daoist Xu is a man of great Fortune Edict, favored by the Dharma King. It truly makes one envious," Huangfu Yang said gravely.

"You jest, fellow Daoist. The Dharma King merely gave me a little guidance. It hardly counts as any great Fortune Edict."

Xu Yan remained expressionless.

The Dharma King's guidance was not some earth-shaking, ghost-weeping event.

It was not as though Xu Yan had been publicly chosen by the Dharma King as a personal disciple before countless people. Even a great power of that stature could not overstep the Patriarch's rules to accept disciples.

To join the Taiyuan Divine Sect, one first had to emerge from the Immortal Treasury and become a registered disciple of a Dao Academy.

Then one had to temper one's foundation at the Dao Academy, cultivate to the Dao Embryo realm, and earn a place on the rankings in the Hundred Academies Sword Contest before being permitted to enter the Divine Land for cultivation.

These three aristocratic disciples did not take Xu Yan, a first-level Pulse Opening cultivator, seriously at all. Never mind the Dharma King's guidance—in their eyes, whether Xu Yan could even leave the Immortal Treasury alive was still a question.

Xu Yan's gaze swept over the three of them. Seeing their calm and unhurried manner, it was obvious they had him completely in their grasp.

"Half-Immortal Xu, in consideration of the fact that you once cast divinations for disciples of my clan, the three of us can grant you a path to survival. Leave everything on you behind, then return to the ancient forest and come out only after a hundred days. How about it?"

The gaunt youth spoke offhandedly.

"Brother Murong is blessed with deep virtue and possesses such a kind heart. This brother admires you," Huangfu Yang sighed.

As he listened to them speak, Xu Yan's eyes darkened to the extreme, killing intent filling his chest.

Step by step, he drew within thirty meters of them.

Seeing Xu Yan remain silent, the three truly thought he intended to leave his possessions behind. The contempt in their eyes immediately grew even stronger.

If Xu Yan truly believed their nonsense, then he would be a fool beyond saving. The moment he handed over spiritual items such as his magical artifacts, these three would likely turn hostile on the spot, kill him here, and eradicate any future trouble.

His divine sense flicked toward the gaunt man beside Huangfu Yang. A flourishing vitality was nurtured within his Spirit Meridian; it was most likely one of the Five Elements, a wood-element Spirit Meridian. The man on the left also possessed one of the Five Elements Spirit Meridians—a fire-element Spirit Meridian.

Xu Yan immediately formed a plan.

Without hesitation, a thought from his divine sense made him abruptly slap his Qiankun Bag. A Divine Fire Talisman shot out, transforming into a streak of flowing flame as it blasted toward the gaunt youth at tremendous speed!

The Five Elements generated and restrained one another. This high-grade talisman would be more than enough to make him suffer.

At such a distance, the gaunt youth had no chance to react. Besides, facing Xu Yan, who was merely at the first level of Pulse Opening, they had been exceptionally lax.

The talisman's power erupted. Divine fire burst forth in an instant and swallowed the gaunt youth whole, drawing out a piercing scream.

At almost the exact same moment!

Xu Yan did not use the Green Pattern Dharma Sword. To be safe, he directly brought out the Skull-Cracking Hammer.

Vast dharma power drove this Mystic Treasure artifact. Towering spiritual radiance burst from the Skull-Cracking Hammer, expanding it to three zhang high. Dense, glittering golden runes swirled around its enormous hammerhead, crushing the air until it hummed.

"A Mystic Treasure!"

Huangfu Yang's eyes flew wide, terror scattering his soul.

He had only just raised his magical artifact to defend himself when the Skull-Cracking Hammer came smashing down.

He did not even have time to scream. The terrifying might of the Mystic Treasure artifact directly crushed him to death. His Dao body exploded, blood spraying through the air as his organs and intestines were shattered into fragments and sent flying everywhere.

Xu Yan was splattered all over with blood, his expression incomparably cold.

"AAAAAH—"

Not far away, the gaunt youth had already been wrapped in blazing divine fire. His piercing screams echoed along the mountain path. The dharma power contained within the high-grade talisman was too immense, and as a wood-element Spirit Meridian cultivator, he had no way to extinguish the divine fire with his dharma power. His aura weakened by the moment as he was about to be burned into charcoal!

It had all happened in the blink of an eye. Xu Yan had struck like thunder.

The last man was a delicate-looking youth and the weakest in cultivation. The sudden turn of events made his head buzz. Without another word, he immediately tried to flee!

How could Xu Yan let him go? All three were disciples of the twelve clans of Nine Star Kui Island. Even if they were from collateral branches, once word spread, Xu Yan would likely face endless reprisals.

"You won't get away!"

Xu Yan's voice was chilling.

His steps turned ghostly as he immediately unleashed Chaos Step. After several flickers, he appeared behind the delicate youth, drew out the Green Pattern Sword, and slashed at the man's back.

Sharp astral winds burst outward. The man was instantly wounded by the astral sword-wind, blood splashing as his Art of Guiding Qi was broken. With a scream, he fell toward the depths below!

Xu Yan erupted with the power of his qi and blood, then savagely kicked the man in the chest. Xu Yan cultivated the Eight-Nine Profound Art; despite only being at the first level of Pulse Opening, his physical body was far stronger than this delicate youth's.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, spare my life!"

The man cried out instinctively.

Xu Yan sneered, directly seized his throat, and demanded harshly, "What was this Primordial Taoist Temple you were discussing earlier, and where is it?"

"If I tell you, will you let me go?"

"If you do not speak, you will die."

Xu Yan's face was cold.

In his previous life, Xu Yan had done plenty of interrogating prisoners of war on the battlefield. He never showed mercy to enemies.

"Th-that Taoist temple is a treasured place. It is said that primordial pills remain there. Cross this mountain pass, then travel three hundred li northeast, and you will find it!"

The delicate youth's face was deathly pale. Trembling with terror, he spoke in a shaking voice.

The instant his words fell, Xu Yan showed no mercy. With a fierce sweep of the Green Pattern Sword, the man's head fell to the ground.