One Head, One Swift Blade!

"Um?"

A light "hmm" sounded like a thunderclap to Xun Chen's ears.

He shuddered violently, as if his spine had been removed, and his legs went weak, causing him to collapse to the ground with a thud.

His face was ashen, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a complete sentence.

"Someone come here!"

Qi Yun stopped looking at him, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.

The Holy Sect cultivators who followed him were already prepared. Upon receiving the order, they immediately stepped forward, their cold gazes locking onto the limp Xun Chen.

"Drag him away and behead him."

"Chop—chopped?!"

Xun Chen, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, raised his head in terror and screamed, "No! You can't kill me!"

My godfather is Foundation Establishment True Person!

"If you dare kill me, my godfather will never let you get away with it!!"

He brought out his biggest backer in an attempt to intimidate Qi Yun.

"Godfather?"

Qi Yun chuckled lightly, looking down at Xun Chen, who was as limp as mud. The gentle smile on his face vanished abruptly, "Even if your own father came, he couldn't save you today."

Drag him down!

"Yes!"

Without further hesitation, the two Holy Sect cultivators moved with lightning speed, and two dark iron rings appeared in their hands at some unknown time. They shot out as fast as the wind!

"Pfft! Pfft!"

With two muffled thuds, the iron ring pierced Xun Chen's collarbone and Dantian with perfect precision!

A bloodcurdling scream, so shrill it was inhuman, erupted from Xun Chen's mouth in an instant.

He was like a punctured balloon, completely losing his ability to resist.

Two expressionless cultivators, one on each side, dragged Xun Chen, who was constantly wailing and struggling, to the front of the crowd, as if he were a dead dog.

This ensured that all the cultivators present could see it clearly.

With a swift movement, the knife fell!

Sizzle--!

A sharp, cold light flashed, accompanied by a teeth-grinding cutting sound.

Blood splattered five feet, and a head filled with terror and resentment rolled to the ground.

The headless corpse twitched twice, then fell silent again.

The entire Sunken Abyss Ravine fell into a deathly silence in an instant.

Only the howling mountain wind and the thick stench of blood filled the air.

All the cultivators, regardless of their sect, turned pale, their scalps tingled, and they dared not even breathe loudly.

Looking at the figure in the deep blue Daoist robe standing with his hands behind his back, his eyes were filled with unprecedented fear and awe.

This True Person Qi's methods are incredibly ruthless!

They killed without hesitation, showing no mercy!

They don't even give face to Foundation Establishment True Person from the Yellow Springs Netherworld!

Qi Yun slowly turned around, his gaze calmly sweeping over the silent crowd, as if he had just casually swatted a fly.

"Ning Feng, investigate where the [Nine Pillars Sunken Gold Stone] that the Yellow Springs Netherworld owes us can be replenished most quickly."

Ning Feng, who had been specially Qi Yun from the Holy Sect by Qi Yun to serve as his personal attendant, skillfully took out a Jade Slip and quickly replied, "Reporting to the True Person, about eight hundred miles west of here, there is a large market called Cold Tasting Market, which was directly established by the Yellow Springs Netherworld."

The storehouse contains a large quantity of Higher Vehicle -quality [Nine Pillars Sunken Gold Stone].

"Cold Tasting Market?"

Qi Yun raised an eyebrow slightly, pretended to be tired, rubbed his temples, and sighed.

"Alas, these supplies were supposed to be delivered by them voluntarily, but now I have to go and collect them myself—"

Well, in order not to delay the construction period, I have no choice but to make this difficult trip.

Having said that, Qi Yun waved his sleeve, his tone tinged with helplessness. "Gather your men and come with me to Cold Tasting Market to allocate 'supplies'!"

"Yes!"

Ning Feng and the other cultivators from the Holy Sect responded in unison, their voices echoing through the valley.

The next moment, Qi Yun's figure floated up, and auspicious clouds formed beneath his feet, lifting him and the group of the Holy Sect cultivators. They transformed into a stream of Flowing Light and headed straight towards the Western Cold Tasting Market, disappearing into the horizon in an instant.

Until Qi Yun and the others completely disappeared.

The suffocating oppression within the Sunken Abyss Ravine eased slightly.

The junior steward, who had been sweating profusely with anxiety, finally came to his senses.

Looking at the still-dry pool of blood on the ground and the dismembered corpse.

He glanced around at the cultivators, strongmen, and laborers who had been slacking off before but were now trembling like quails, and couldn't help but sneer. He shouted sharply, "What are you waiting for? Do you want your heads to roll on the ground too?!"

This rebuke was like a whip lashing out at everyone.

All the cultivators shuddered, instantly snapping out of their fear.

Looking into the steward's cold eyes, and recalling Qi Yun's decisive and ruthless actions just now, how could they dare to be even slightly negligent?

"Get to work! Get to work now!"

"Clear the site! Prepare to drive in the foundation piles!"

"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!"

Shouts and shouts rose and fell, sweeping away the previous disorganized and chaotic scene.

Instead, a bustling scene of activity and everyone vying to get started unfolded.

No one dared to cheat or shirk responsibility anymore; no one dared to outwardly comply but inwardly defy.

A human head, a sharp knife.

And that's how it happened.

Eight hundred miles is but a moment's travel for Foundation Establishment True Person who can ride the clouds.

Cold Tasting Market is located in a valley that is shrouded in a faint aura of yin energy all year round. Built according to the earth's veins, the buildings are mostly constructed of black stone and have a gloomy and ancient style.

When Qi Yun on auspicious clouds, leading a group of powerful Holy Sect cultivators like heavenly soldiers descending upon the market, the pitiful amount of guard force instantly became useless.

"Is the person below Yellow Springs Netherworld Cold Tasting Market of the Underworld?"

The Wuji Sacred Sect Qi Yun, under the command of the four sects, is overseeing the construction of the [Northern Defense Grand Formation] and has come to allocate scarce resources.

"Activate the Formation Art immediately and come out to report!"

Qi Yun's voice wasn't particularly loud, yet it was like rolling thunder, carrying an undeniable air of authority—

It pierced through the defensive light barrier of the market, causing the eardrums of the cultivators inside to buzz.

Chaos erupted in the market.

Soon, an elderly man dressed in the robes of Yellow Springs Netherworld official, with a panicked expression and a Qi Refining Great Perfection of Qi Refining, hurriedly ascended into the air surrounded by a group of disciples. Through the Formation Art's light barrier, he bowed to Qi Yun, his voice trembling. "Han-- Cold Tasting Market's Gui Jiu, Gui Jiu, greets-- greets True Person Qi!"

I was unaware of True Person Qi's arrival and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!

But—if it's just True Person claiming to be allocating supplies, do they have any documentation or authorization?

"We'll have a better chance to explain this to our superiors."

This Gui Jiu Deacon was a shrewd old man, though he feared Qi Yun's reputation and strength.

But they still stubbornly tried to follow the rules and attempted to delay.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun revealed a half-smile on his face. He slowly raised his hand, and the chaotic-colored [Four Extremes Great Expansion Token] appeared in his palm.

The four-colored edges shimmered with light, radiating a powerful aura that embodied the will of the four sects.

"This is the [Four Extremes Great Expansion Token], jointly forged by the acting leaders of the four sects. Any resources required for Formation Deployment can be used in advance, regardless of which sect's resources are involved."

Qi Yun's tone was calm, yet it carried an immense pressure.

"Gui Jiu Vulture, do you wish to verify the authenticity of this edict, or do you intend to question the decisions of the four Great True Person?"

Sensing the imposing aura emanating from the token, the Gui Jiu Deacon turned deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down his back. He immediately bowed deeply, almost bending at a ninety-degree angle. "I dare not! I dare not! I would never dare!"

True Person Qi, please!

Quickly, activate the Formation Art!

The defensive light barrier dissipated rapidly.

Qi Yun rode on auspicious clouds and slowly descended onto the largest square in the center of Cold Tasting Market.

The group of the Holy Sect cultivators behind him immediately dispersed like tigers among sheep, subtly taking control of the various entrances and key locations of the market.

His sharp eyes swept over the silent Yellow Springs Netherworld cultivators and the Rogue Cultivator who had come to trade.

"My main purpose in coming here is to allocate the [Nine Pillars Sunken Gold Stone] to address the urgent needs of the Sunken Abyss Ravine construction site." Qi Yun's gaze swept over the Gui Jiu Steward, his tone remaining calm.

"However, since we're here, let's also take a look at what else we can use to build the grand formation."

"Deacon Gui Jiu, lead the way to the storeroom."

The Gui Jiu Steward was inwardly groaning, but dared not disobey in the slightest. He could only grit his teeth and lead the way with servility, saying, "Yes, yes, True Person Qi, please follow me."

The warehouse was located deep within the market town, heavily guarded.

However, under the radiance of the [Four Extremes Great Expansion Token], those restrictions melted away rapidly, like ice and snow under the sun.

When the heavy stone door opened, it revealed a mountain of various spiritual materials, ores, spiritual herbs, and even finished magical Law Artifact and array plates.

Even the well-informed Holy Sect cultivators behind Qi Yun couldn't help but secretly gasp in astonishment.

The supplies that the Yellow Springs Netherworld has stockpiled here are far more than what has been officially reported, and their quality is generally much higher!

Qi Yun scanned the area with his Divine Sense and already knew the situation. He stood with his hands behind his back and began to "call the roll."

"[The Nine Pillars Sunken Gold Stone] have all been loaded onto the trucks and will be transported to the Sunken Abyss Ravine immediately."

"This [Yin Marrow Jade] is of pure quality and can be used to stabilize the key nodes of the formation. I'll take it."

"[Hundred-Year Soul-Nourishing Wood]? Hmm, adding a little when making array flags can enhance their spirituality. Take it with you."

"Huh? This batch of [Profound Nether Heavy Water] is of good quality. It's perfect for harmonizing the Yin energy of the earth's veins. Let's take it all."

"And those [Ghost-Face Vine] and [Bone-Eroding Sand]—though they're a bit unorthodox, they might be useful in certain special array patterns. Ning Feng, remember them and allocate them as well."

As soon as he pointed to something, the Holy Sect cultivators behind him pounced on it like wolves, using transport Law Technique to take away the corresponding supplies in heaps.

The movements were swift and brutal.

They gave the people of the Yellow Springs Netherworld no chance to take inventory or record anything.

The Gui Jiu Deacon and the Yellow Springs Netherworld disciples standing nearby watched with hearts bleeding, their faces pale and bodies trembling uncontrollably.

That's all wealth that the sect has painstakingly accumulated!

Many of these were even rare items intended for use in other clandestine projects or as offerings to the sect's higher-ups!

Some couldn't help but want to step forward to argue, but were held back by their fellow disciples, who gestured for them to look at the terrifying token in Qi Yun's hand, as well as the surrounding Holy Sect cultivators who were eyeing them covetously.

They were angry but dared not speak out!

Faced with absolute power and the pretext of "righteousness".

All their anger and grievances had to be swallowed back down.

Qi Yun seemed oblivious to their expressions of utter despair, continuing to stroll leisurely through the warehouse, his gaze sweeping across the entire area.

"This box of [Earth Vein Stone Marrow] -- Hmm, not bad."

"Take those [Nether Iron] with you too."

"Oh? There's even a small jar of [Thousand-Year Corpse Moss]? This item is rare; it might be of great use."

The rich heritage that Cold Tasting Market had accumulated over the years was disappearing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In less than half an hour, the warehouse, which was originally full of goods, was almost emptied.

All that's left are some truly useless or worthless scraps.

Qi Yun then nodded as if satisfied, looked at the ashen-faced Gui Jiu Deacon, and said in a gentle tone, "Gui Jiu Deacon is very righteous and generous in his help. I will definitely remember this and record it in the merit book for your esteemed establishment and sect."

It's all for the [Northern Defense Grand Formation], for the sake of the people of the Northwest.

The Gui Jiu Deacon's lips twitched, forcing out a smile that looked more like a grimace, and he bowed, saying, "It's my duty—it's my duty—I'll leave it all to Master True Person Qi to decide—"

"Hmm." Qi Yun responded lightly, flicking his sleeve.

"Now that the supplies have been allocated, I will not trouble you any further."

Having said that, he turned and left, leading a group of the Holy Sect cultivators who had gained a great deal, riding on auspicious clouds and flying away.

What remained was a nearly empty Cold Tasting Market, and a group of Yellow Springs Netherworld cultivators who were on the verge of tears, cursing Qi Yun a thousand times in their hearts.

Above the auspicious clouds, Ning Feng tallied his "harvest," his face unable to hide his excitement. He whispered, "True Person, the supplies allocated this time far exceed what the [Nine Pillars Sunken Gold Stone] needs. Among them are many rare treasures, their value immeasurable—"

Qi Yun stood with his hands behind his back on the cloud, looking down at the rapidly shrinking Cold Tasting Market below, and the meaningful smile on his lips rose again.

This is just the beginning.

But ultimately, I am outnumbered and powerless.

Sharing happiness is worse than enjoying it alone.

If my senior uncles and aunts knew that I was eating alone, they would definitely be full of complaints.

Oh well, what can I do when Qi is so kind?

Ning Feng, take my warrant and return to the Holy Sect immediately.

I need to have a good talk with my senior classmates and mentors.