Xi Feng Dies, Yue Tao Dies

Having resolved the troubles with the Shi Family, Dongfang Yueming found the most secluded courtyard in the Shi Family and went into seclusion once again.

The next day, early morning.

Looking at the points that had accumulated on the panel again, Dongfang Yueming no longer hesitated.

[Point Allocation the "Scorching Fire Spirit Gathering Method"!]

[Ding! Consumed 1000 points, "Scorching Fire Spirit Gathering Method" upgraded to Entry!][Ding! Consumed...][Ding! "Scorching Fire Spirit Gathering Method" upgraded to Perfection!]

Boom--!

A similarly vast and powerful Grandmaster's true intent exploded in his Sea of Consciousness!

Then, that familiar feeling returned!

[Ding! Detected two cultivation techniques of the same origin: "Sea-Overturning Spirit Gathering Method" (Perfection) and "Scorching Fire Spirit Gathering Method" (Perfection). Initiating fusion...]

At this moment, Dongfang Yueming's newly formed [Boundless Sea Domain] underwent a tremendous change!

It's no longer just a simple blue ocean!

In the center of that boundless sea, a blazing sun broke through the surface and slowly rose!

The seawater was no longer icy, but had taken on a touch of warmth; the flames were no longer violent, but had gained a sense of compassion!

Water and fire, at the level of their respective domains, have also achieved a perfect balance and symbiosis!

[Merger successful! Domain transformation -- [Water and Fire Purgatory]!]

A domain power several times stronger than before, which could be controlled at will, was entirely at Dongfang Yueming's command!

Now, it's time to make a trip to the Earth Spirit Sect!

On the official road leading from the Great Xia Dynasty to the Great Qi Dynasty, two figures were galloping on horseback; they were Yue Tao and Xi Feng.

"Brother Xi, are we... just going back like this?" Yue Tao's face showed some unease. "Senior Brother Li Xuan... after all, he's a candidate for sect leader. If we leave him alone in Great Xia like this, what if something unexpected happens..."

"Hmph, what could possibly go wrong?" Xi Feng sneered, his tone filled with disdain and jealousy. "Who is Li Xuan? A prodigy of the Internal Force Realm! In a desolate place like Great Xia, who could possibly harm him? I bet he's discovered some kind of opportunity and wants to ditch us and take it all for himself!"

Even so, he was still uneasy. Li Xuan's disappearance was too abrupt, without even a word, which was definitely unusual.

Just as they were talking, a whooshing sound came from behind them, growing faster than ever!

The two were startled and quickly turned around to look, only to see a figure wearing a bamboo hat who had overtaken them in a few flashes.

"It's him?!"

The moment Xi Feng and Yue Tao saw that figure, their pupils contracted sharply! Their bodies stiffened simultaneously, and they instinctively tightened the reins!

The Dongfang Yueming!

He's here too! And his speed and agility are simply astonishing!

The two men steeled themselves and urged their horses forward slowly.

Dongfang Yueming also noticed the two, but he only glanced at them indifferently and then ignored them.

However, Xi Feng was reminded of all the unpleasant memories from the Battle of the Python Gate. He couldn't see through Dongfang Yueming's cultivation level, but the feeling of being ignored made his jealousy and arrogance resurface.

He spurred his horse forward, riding alongside Dongfang Yueming, and said with a forced smile, "Oh, isn't this Brother Dongfang? When you were expelled from the Martial Dao Academy, I thought you'd found somewhere to hide. What, you've finally dared to show yourself?"

Dongfang Yueming kept his eyes straight ahead, as if he hadn't heard him.

Completely ignored, Xi Feng's face instantly turned extremely ugly. A sinister glint flashed in his eyes, and he decided to bring out his biggest backer to put pressure on the other party.

"Dongfang Yueming," Xi Feng reined in his horse, looking down at Xi Feng man with an air of superiority, "Long time no see. However, I advise you to be more discreet. My senior brother Li Xuan from the Earth Spirit Sect is now in the Great Xia Dynasty. He is a future sect leader candidate, and his cultivation has already reached the Inner Force realm. He is not someone a rogue cultivator like you, expelled from the sect, can afford to offend!"

He thought that mentioning Li Xuan's name would at least make the other party wary.

However, Dongfang Yueming simply raised his head slowly, his voice beneath the bamboo hat calm and unwavering.

You mean Li Xuan?

He is dead.

"Wh... what?!" Yue Tao was horrified and almost fell off his horse.

Xi Feng was struck dumb, his mind went blank. He pointed at Dongfang Yueming, his voice shrill with fear. "You... you killed him?!"

"That's right," Dongfang Yueming readily admitted.

This answer completely shattered their last shred of hope!

They exchanged a glance, both seeing boundless fear in each other's eyes! They had overheard a tremendous secret! And those who know secrets often... don't live long!

"Run!"

Without exchanging a single word, the two men turned their horses around almost simultaneously and fled frantically back the way they had come!

However, in the face of a Grandmaster who had already condensed a domain, their struggles seemed so pale and powerless.

"Now that you know, why bother leaving?"

Dongfang Yueming shook his head.

He simply flicked out two gusts of wind from his fingers.

Two extremely refined forces, launched later but arriving first, silently pierced through the air and precisely pierced the backs of the two running men.

Yue Tao and Xi Feng's bodies stiffened abruptly on horseback, the light in their eyes quickly dimmed, and they collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Of the five-person team that originally went to the Great Qi Dynasty together, only he and Shi Qing remain.

Having settled this matter, Dongfang Yueming did not linger any longer. With a flicker, his figure disappeared at the end of the official road.

Time passed, and the Earth Spirit Sect...

Before the mountain gate, the blood-robed Grandmaster of the Blood Refining Sect descended once more. His face was even more gloomy than three days ago, and the bloody aura emanating from his body was almost tangible.

"The three-day deadline has passed! Where is he?!" His icy voice echoed throughout the entire Earth Spirit Sect.

The sect leader of the Earth Spirit Sect and Li Potian were already waiting there, both with extremely grim expressions.

"Senior," the sect leader of the Earth Spirit Sect said, forcing himself to step forward and bowing, "That Ash Demon... seems to have already left the Great Qi Dynasty. We... really can't find any trace of him."

"Useless!" The blood-robed Grandmaster's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "Can't find it? I think it's because you don't want to look!"

He suddenly reached out, and a giant blood-red claw materialized once more, ready to deliver the fatal blow!

Just then, an intelligence officer came running over, stumbling and scrambling, shouting in a panic, "Sect Master! We... we've found out! Nephew Li Xuan... he went to the Great Xia Dynasty alone three days ago!"

"What?!" Li Potian was shocked upon hearing this.

The blood-robed Grandmaster paused, retracting his blood claws, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

[The Great Xia Dynasty? That remote place? What was he doing there? Could it be... another core fragment of the Bloodthirsty Awl is actually there?!]

Realizing this possibility, he could no longer contain himself and snorted coldly, "Consider yourselves lucky!"

Having said that, he ignored the members of the Earth Spirit Sect, transformed into a streak of blood-red light, tore through the sky, and sped off towards the Great Xia Dynasty!