Zhou Qiong frowned as he watched Zhao Li disappear. He had escaped again. Having a cheat really did make a difference, but this time, Zhou Qiong had destroyed his cheat grandpa outright. He wondered what Zhao Li would use to fend him off next time.
A red-robed figure emerged from the opening Zhao Li had made. It was Liansheng. On seeing Zhou Qiong, he bowed. "Greetings, Sect Master!"
Zhou Qiong looked at Liansheng and saw blood flames enveloping him. Not only had his injuries healed, but his cultivation had also risen to the eternal realm. He must have encountered a fortuitous opportunity in this cave.
Seeing Zhou Qiong looking at him, Liansheng said quietly, "Following my intuition, I came to this cave and discovered a blood pool. Only then was I able to raise my cultivation to the eternal realm first layer."
"Good. We've reaped most of the benefits. It's time to go out and deal with those jumping clowns!" With that, Zhou Qiong waved his hand and vanished from underground with Liansheng.
Meanwhile, Qian Sihai and the others were gathered on a mountain peak.
"Where do you think that brat Zhou Qiong is hiding? Why is there no sign of him anywhere?"
"Could he have learned that we've joined forces and become too afraid to show himself?"
"It doesn't matter. The exit is right beside us. Unless Zhou Qiong wants to remain trapped here for the rest of his life, he'll show up."
A woman in white standing to one side coughed softly. "Our Flower Clan won't take part in your affairs. Of course, we won't inform on you either!"
Qian Sihai said gravely, "We won't force you to participate, Clan Leader Baihe. We're about to discuss the details, so please leave us for now."
The woman in white nodded, then waved her hand and vanished from the mountain peak with Hong Meigui.
"Why did you let her leave? What if she goes to inform on us?"
"What else could we do? If we really killed them, do you think Elder Mu would let you off?"
While they were still arguing incessantly, two figures suddenly appeared on the mountain peak. One wore a demonic dragon battle robe, demonic Qi surging to the heavens around him. The other wore red robes, bloodlight spreading around him. They were Zhou Qiong and Liansheng.
At the sight of them, everyone rejoiced inwardly. The Ghost Clan leader laughed sinisterly. "You refused the road to heaven and forced your way into hell. Zhou Qiong, today you cannot escape your doom."
Just then, Qian Sihai's trembling voice came from beside him. "Impossible. How is this possible? The true martial realm? Zhou Qiong, how could you be in the true martial realm?"
Hearing this, the others also fixed their eyes on Zhou Qiong. Demonic flames surged to the heavens around him, but upon closer inspection, they could discern a trace of martial true intent. This was the unique mark of the true martial realm. Their mouths fell open in disbelief!
True martial! This was the true martial realm! All realms below profound understanding were known as the mortal realm, with a maximum lifespan of no more than two hundred years. Profound understanding counted as transcending the mortal body, granting a lifespan of five hundred years. Upon reaching the eternal realm, one could be called an eternal hegemon and live for up to three thousand years. In this land of chaos, that was enough to establish a power of one's own, found a sect, and become its patriarch.
Those in the true martial realm could even hold sway over a region, becoming the lord of a city like Elder Mu and controlling the life and death of hundreds of millions of living beings. Their lifespans were measured in tens of thousands of years.
"Weren't you discussing how to kill me? Now that I'm here, why haven't you made your move?"
Qian Sihai and the others looked at one another, none of them knowing what to say.
"I'll give you a chance. Two of you may live."
"Don't listen to him, everyone! He wants us to slaughter one another. Let's fight him to the... urgh... you... you..." Before the Ox-Headed Clan leader could finish speaking, he saw his heart being torn out from behind. He turned and saw Qian Sihai smiling sinisterly. Before the ox-headed man could react, the Ghost Clan leader beside him smashed his head apart with a claw.
Only Qian Sihai, the Ghost Clan leader, and Lan Yukong remained. They eyed one another, guarding against sneak attacks. Qian Sihai and the Ghost Clan leader nodded to each other, then attacked Lan Yukong together as though they had arranged it beforehand.
Lan Yukong bellowed in fury, "Do you two really believe Zhou Qiong will spare you? The three of us would have a better chance of surviving if we fought back together!"
Neither reacted to his words. Instead, their attacks grew faster and fiercer, leaving Lan Yukong unable to defend himself for a time.
Lan Yukong knew he could not escape his doom today. Even if he evaded their attacks, he could not escape Zhou Qiong's grasp.
Yet the ones he hated most were not Zhou Qiong, but Qian Sihai and the Ghost Clan leader. Had those two not launched sneak attacks, had they fought Zhou Qiong together, he would have accepted even death. But he truly could not accept dying at their hands.
"Since that's how it is, none of you will get off easy!" Lan Yukong roared. His tall, thin body rapidly expanded, swelling in an instant.
"Not good." The moment Lan Yukong shouted, Qian Sihai and the Ghost Clan leader realized something was wrong and hurriedly retreated. But Lan Yukong detonated himself too quickly, giving them no chance to react.
Boom! An earth-shaking blast rang out from the battlefield. The shock waves spread rapidly, blasting apart even the mountain peak, which was more than a hundred times harder than those in the lower realm.
In the distance, a protective barrier appeared around Zhou Qiong, shielding him and Liansheng.
When the shock waves dissipated, two bedraggled figures emerged. Just then, a gate of light suddenly appeared a short distance away, radiating light continuously. The three days were up, and the exit to the Kongtong Secret Realm had opened. Without hesitation, the two flew straight toward it.
With a bang, the two who had just reached the gate of light seemed to crash into a wall. Looking up, they saw a black ring slowly revolving at the gate, emitting black light that barred their way. The black light enveloped them, and a binding intent emanated from the ring, leaving them unable to move.
"Liansheng, go kill them!"
"As you command!"
Liansheng bowed in acknowledgment, took up his sword, and walked toward them.
"Zhou Qiong, you went back on your word! You said you would spare us!"
"You despicable wretch! We never should have trusted you!"
"Zhou Qiong-no, Sect Master Zhou, Lord Zhou! I'm willing to submit! I'll bring my entire Ghost Clan into submission to you, as long as you spare me!"
"My Great River Gang is willing to submit to you as well, my lord! Don't kill me! Aah!"
The two began cursing incessantly, then immediately switched to pleading for mercy. But Liansheng gave them no chance to continue and slew them both with his sword.
Zhou Qiong raised his head and looked beside the gate of light, saying coldly, "You've watched for so long. Aren't you coming out yet?"
Two figures immediately appeared beside the gate of light, one dressed in white and the other in red. Both dropped directly to one knee.
"Lord Zhou, our Flower Clan is willing to submit to the Demon Sect. Our Flower Clan did not participate in this operation either. If you truly wish to kill someone, my lord, as the Flower Clan's leader, I am willing to die. I only ask that you leave the Flower Clan a path to survival." Clan Leader Baihe, dressed in white, spoke quietly.
"My lord, I, Hua Meigui, am also willing to die. Please leave our Flower Clan a path to survival!"