Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World(96-100)

Chapter 96: The weakest among them—Chu Xuan

Chu Xuan wasted no time, arriving immediately at Wan Wuying's cave dwelling. Upon his arrival, he found that Li Xuanming, Liu Zhenxiong, and Wu Teng had already been waiting for a while.

Unlike his usual composed self, seated regally upon a throne of bones, Wan Wuying was pacing before them. Seeing Chu Xuan join, he nodded slightly in acknowledgement.

"I used to have many disciples, and now only you four remain," Wan Wuying spoke with a grave tone. "I do not wish for our lineage to die out, so there are things I need to clarify with you now."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Chu Xuan and the others turned solemn. Li Xuanming responded with due respect, "Please speak, Master. We are all ears."

Wan Wuying continued evenly, "Several months ago, Zhao Wuya, Huang Yuanwu, and I ventured into Wu Province and took a precious treasure from the Thousand Insects Sect. What that treasure is, I'd rather not dwell on—the important thing is that it's valuable enough to attract the covetous glances of other sects. The current war between the Heavenly Seal Sect and the native sects of Wu Province was supposed to end quickly, but it has been prolonged by a third-party force, which I have now confirmed to be Imperial Spirit Mountain."

This revelation surprised Chu Xuan and the others, yet it also seemed entirely within reason. Following the destruction of the Infinite Sect, the righteous Five Sects divided the territory.

Imperial Spirit Mountain acquired a fertile third of northern Wu Province. Being the closest to Heavenly Seal Sect and Wu Province, it was most convenient for them to covertly influence the war.

"I suspected early on that someone would covet the treasure and eventually make a move against me," Wan Wuying disclosed. "Soon, Zhao Wuya and Huang Yuanwu will be called back to the Heavenly Seal Sect's main hall, and the new Golden Core cultivators taking their place are not particularly friendly towards our Extreme Yin Sect. I suspect they are preparing to act."

He continued, "I'm telling you this so you will be more vigilant in the coming days. If they plan to strike at me, they will likely target you as well. Especially the Hundred Gu Daoist from the Thousand Insects Sect; he was very fond of Chen Zhaofeng, and since Chen Zhaofeng is dead, he will undoubtedly hold you responsible."

Li Xuanming and Liu Zhenxiong felt a chill in their hearts, while Wu Teng tasted bitterness.

'I didn't even participate in that battle and gained nothing from it, yet I'm still a target?'

Chu Xuan pondered deeply. Wan Wuying had provided timely notification, fulfilling his duty as a master.

However, Chu Xuan had already sensed that dark currents were about to surge again. Unlike others, he had no qualms about escaping if necessary.

But if someone really intended to strike at him, he planned to first test their strength. Presently perceived by outsiders as only a second-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, any aggressor would likely be a third-level Foundation Establishment at most.

Since such opponents were essentially delivering themselves to him, there was no need to flee. A gift of a head sent from a thousand miles away deserved acceptance—it would be impolite not to.

Wan Wuying's gaze swept tenderly over the four, "That is all, go back now, and be very careful."

"Yes, thank you, Master." Chu Xuan acknowledged respectfully.

After a moment of thought, Wan Wuying added, "Chu Xuan, stay a moment."

Once Li Xuanming and the others had departed, Wan Wuying continued, "Chu Xuan, you are now at the seventh level of Foundation Establishment, already surpassing Xuanming. I have some low-grade magic treasures, but you might find them difficult to activate, and they're less useful to you than a high grade magic tool. Tell me, what do you need? I will do my best to provide."

Chu Xuan was pleasantly surprised. It seemed his nominal master felt he had previously neglected him and was now looking to make amends. Such an offer was not to be refused lightly.

After a brief pause, Chu Xuan asked somewhat boldly, "Master, do you possess any flying magic tools? I find myself in need of an top grade flying magic tool..."

Wan Wuying rolled his eyes but nodded. He flipped his hand and produced a flying shuttle radiating a faint blue light. "This is the Green Shadow Shuttle, a flying magic tool I used back when I was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. It is yours now."

Chu Xuan eagerly accepted it, "Thank you, Master!"

"Go now, and take care," Wan Wuying nodded.

"Yes." Chu Xuan departed, leaving Wan Wuying to watch his retreating figure with a light chuckle.

The Infinite Sect's approach to discipleship was hands-off. Golden Core cultivators believed that allowing disciples to grow untamed fostered the strongest, most ruthless, and most fortuitous demonic cultivators. Indeed, luck was also a part of strength.

Thus, knowing that the disciples of the Extreme Yin Cave were destined to face calamity, he had not exerted himself fully to protect them but merely warned them. He understood that the one who survived would be the strongest and luckiest.

Of his four disciples, whoever survived, he would seriously cultivate.

...

Upon returning to the Water Curtain Cave, Chu Xuan wasted no time in activating the Green Shadow Shuttle through the Blood Mirror.

This was a top-tier flying magic tool, far superior to the Heavenly Star Flying Sword. Whether for slaying foes, seizing treasures, or evading pursuit, his speed would now be vastly enhanced. Few Foundation Establishment cultivators could match his pace now!

Chu Xuan imprinted his soul blood on the Green Shadow Shuttle and took it for several test flights, thoroughly pleased with its performance, before finally stowing it away contentedly.

...

The nameless market.

In the secluded chamber of the teahouse, hidden by soundproofing arrays ensuring privacy, Zhou Yu prepared for a clandestine meeting. He had been nursing severe injuries from a previous disastrous venture to Ironwire Mountain, barely saved by his stash of medicinal pills.

The cost had nearly drained his resources, and he was eager for a chance to replenish his supplies through the proposed hunting mission.

Soon after he settled, the gaunt figure of Lu Yin hurried in. With a hearty laugh, he greeted Zhou Yu, "Fellow Daoist Zhou! I've missed you!"

Zhou Yu returned the greeting with polite laughter. The two were familiar with each other from their undercover collaborations within the Heavenly Seal Sect and caught up briefly.

After the pleasantries, Zhou Yu got straight to the point, "Tell me, who's the target? When do we strike?"

Lu Yin's smile widened, "You might remember them. Do you recall being mysteriously abducted by Li Xuanming and Liu Zhenxiong of the Extreme Yin Cave? Your injuries, too, were thanks to them. It wasn't for their insistence on dragging you to Ironwire Mountain, you wouldn't have suffered so."

Zhou Yu's expression hardened, "Are we targeting the Extreme Yin Cave? They are formidable; am I a match for them?"

Lu Yin nodded vigorously before smiling slyly, "Indeed, we are targeting the Extreme Yin Cave, but not Li Xuanming or Liu Zhenxiong. We pick the softest target, the weakest among them—Chu Xuan. We'll deal with him. This is an easy job with quick pay, and I thought of you immediately."

Chapter 97: Melee and Betrayal

Zhou Yu's heart twitched uneasily. Chosen because he was the weakest? This kind of supposedly easy job landing on him just seemed like a setup to push him into danger.

However, he managed to keep his composure and instead expressed a calculated surprise, "Fellow Daoist Lu, I've heard that your master Zhao Wuya has some private dealings with Wan Wuying of the Extreme Yin Cave. Would he agree to you targeting them?"

Lu Yin laughed heartily, "My master will not know of this. Whether the Extreme Yin lineage is wiped out or not, his agreement or disagreement is irrelevant."

Zhou Yu pretended to mull over the proposal, taking his time much to Lu Yin's growing impatience. Finally, with a look of difficulty, he spoke, "Fellow Daoist Lu, I believe that the cultivators of the Extreme Yin Cave are not to be trifled with lightly. I'd rather not get involved in this murky business."

Lu Yin frowned, "Are you truly not joining?"

Zhou Yu gave a bitter smile, "Demonic cultivators are desperate folk, and I'm afraid they might drag me down with them in their last moments. Let's forget it."

He added, "But rest assured, I will not speak of this to anyone. I can swear a Heart Devil Oath to that effect! After all, as you said, the injuries I bear were caused by those from the Extreme Yin Cave."

With that, he indeed made a Heart Devil Oath. Such oaths were serious commitments, taken by Foundation Establishment stage cultivators and above. Violating them often led to severe spiritual tribulations, akin to a blemish on pristine white jade, potentially obstructing a cultivator's Dao to immortality. Few dared to break a Heart Devil Oath.

Of course, these oaths mostly bound the righteous cultivators. Demonic cultivators had numerous ways to deceive or even break such oaths.

Initially, Lu Yin's eyes had glinted with dangerous intent, but seeing Zhou Yu make the oath on the spot, he relaxed. Killing Zhou Yu, if it ever came to that, would require some effort.

Moreover, being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Zhou Yu wasn't likely to be so easily fooled. Despite claims of having depleted his resources, who could say for sure if he wasn't still hiding something?

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Zhou, you are a wise man. Until next time," Lu Yin said, and without further ado, turned and left.

Watching Lu Yin's retreating figure, Zhou Yu sighed deeply. "Li Xuanming, Liu Zhenxiong, Wu Teng, Chu Xuan... among the four from the Extreme Yin Cave, you just had picked the strongest. If you don't die, who will..."

As days turned into months, the fierce offensive of the Heavenly Seal Sect suddenly slowed. The main combatants, Golden Core cultivators Zhao Wuya and Huang Yuanwu, were recalled by an urgent order back to the main hall. Replacing them were Zhu Taiji, Guo Zhen, and Chu Qiong, who adopted a strategy of siege without attack.

It seemed they intended to starve out the Thousand Insects Sect's Gu cultivators without shedding a drop of blood, given that maintaining normal cultivation and the operation of defensive arrays consumed considerable amounts of spirit stones. Inevitably, the Thousand Insects Sect would have to surrender as their resources dwindled.

The lower ranks of the cultivators didn't grasp the intentions of their superiors and could only wait helplessly. This siege tactic continued for over two months. Every few days, Gu cultivators from the Thousand Insects Sect made desperate attempts to break through, but all were repelled. It was clear to everyone that the Thousand Insects Sect was reaching its breaking point, likely prompting the remaining Golden Core cultivators to attempt a breakout soon.

And indeed, when the protective mountain array of the Thousand Insects Sect flickered and dimmed completely due to the lack of spirit stones, dozens of luminous streaks suddenly shot towards the southeast, heading towards the borders of Yue Country. Should they cross into Yue Country, the Heavenly Seal Sect's cultivators would dare not pursue further.

From the Heavenly Seal Sect's camp, four luminous figures promptly took flight, pursuing the escaping lights. They were Zhu Taiji, Guo Zhen, Chu Qiong, and Wan Wuying, aiming directly for the fleeing Gu cultivators.

Zhu Taiji, leading the charge, called out loudly, "Hundred Gu Daoist, it's not too late to surrender. I guarantee you the treatment of an elder of the Heavenly Seal Sect!"

Hundred Gu Daoist, the leader of the fleeing group, roared back defiantly, "I will never align with the demonic cultivators of the Heavenly Seal Sect!"

The Golden Core cultivators of the Heavenly Seal Sect were notably stronger than those of the Thousand Insects Sect and also faster. It was only a matter of time before Hundred Gu Daoist and his companions would be caught.

"I'll cover our retreat!" Hundred Gu Daoist bellowed.

The Foundation Establishment disciples of the Thousand Insects Sect were forced to turn and block Zhu Taiji's group. These disciples were controlled by Gu insects implanted by their Golden Core masters. If they did not turn to confront the attackers, the Gu within them would devour them from the inside.

Yet, if they managed to hold off the Heavenly Seal Sect's Golden Core cultivators, there was a chance they could survive.

"Out of my way!" Wan Wuying waved his hand, sending shadows sprawling and forcefully scattering the Foundation Establishment Gu cultivators.

Their primary targets were Hundred Gu Daoist and the other two Golden Core cultivators. If they failed to eliminate these three, the threat of stealth attacks and curses by these surviving masters would continue to plague the Heavenly Seal Sect.

The disciples of the Thousand Insects Sect housed numerous Gu within their bodies. Killing them would release the insects like flesh-burrowing maggots, which would not only attack but also delay the pursuit.

Thus, it was more prudent to leave these Foundation Establishment cultivators to the Heavenly Seal Sect's own disciples to deal with.

With a whistling sound, over twenty streaks of light surged forth from the Heavenly Seal Sect's encampment, targeting the Foundation Establishment Gu cultivators. Chu Xuan was among them.

Golden Core fought Golden Core, Foundation Establishment clashed with Foundation Establishment.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The sounds of battle between Golden Core cultivators echoed through the sky, sending terrifying shockwaves in all directions. Wherever these forces passed, towering trees were instantly reduced to splinters.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators tactically retreated while fighting, keen to distance themselves from the battlefield of the more powerful Golden Core cultivators. None wished to be inadvertently killed by the stray shockwaves.

Chu Xuan faced off against a Gu cultivator from the Thousand Insects Sect, swiftly withdrawing from the main fray. He did not reveal his full strength, maintaining the guise of a middling second-level Foundation Establishment cultivator. His opponent from the Thousand Insects Sect, in stark contrast, unleashed all his hidden abilities, fighting with flushed cheeks and fiery ears.

Once he had completely disengaged from the battle and found himself unobserved, Chu Xuan employed the Yin Evil Demon Claw, instantly crushing the life out of the Thousand Insects Sect cultivator and casting his body into the Corpse Nurturing Tower.

A few flickers later, Chu Xuan vanished using the Yin Evil Escape technique.

Shortly after his disappearance, two figures arrived together, both familiar faces—Lu Yin and Zheng Changqing. The two were senior brother disciples within the same sect and shared a close bond.

After failing to enlist Zhou Yu for the hunt, Lu Yin turned to Zheng Changqing, who readily agreed. Hunting demonic cultivators was a lucrative affair, rarely as easy as taking down a second-level Foundation Establishment soft target like Chu Xuan.

"Where is he? Wasn't he just here?" Zheng Changqing furrowed his brow. They had clearly seen Chu Xuan engaging with the Gu cultivator from the Thousand Insects Sect as they entered the woods.

Lu Yin sneered, "No hurry, I have a scent-tracker worm. It will find him soon." He then produced a plump worm and allowed it to sniff a low-grade magic tool.

"This magic tool…" Zheng Changqing expressed his surprise.

Lu Yin offered a sinister laugh, "Bought it from Wu Teng; it was once used by Chu Xuan. That fellow has been acting suspicious and has already betrayed the Extreme Yin Cave." He explained, "The scent-tracker worm would stand erect in the direction of its target, growing more upright the closer it was."

Zheng Changqing, astounded, exclaimed, "What? Why is it standing as straight as a chopstick? And it's pointing behind us?"

Chapter 98: Mysterious Cultivator

The next moment, Zheng Changqing was shocked, "Eh, why am I falling toward the ground? And whose headless corpse is that? Junior brother, what's happening?"

But he could no longer hear Lu Yin's response. Darkness and cold had already enveloped him completely. With a thud, the headless body fell forward, blood gushing forth.

Lu Yin's eyes widened in horror as he instinctively activated his defensive magic tool to protect his back, while quickly casting a defensive spell. His body's Iron Shell Shell rapidly secreted saliva that flowed with his blood, swiftly enhancing his bodily defenses.

Clang!

A dark chain cleaved through the air toward him. Lu Yin spat out blood and was flung back several yards.

Crack!

His defensive magic tool shattered into pieces. The Iron Shell Shell also screamed pitifully as its shell burst apart, its fluids splattering—clearly, it too was no more.

Lu Yin was utterly terrified. In just one strike, he had been stripped of all his defenses. His assailant was certainly not a mere early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator—this must be a mid-stage, or even a high-level cultivator, possibly at the fifth or sixth layer!

"Eh, you're not dead yet."

A voice floated softly from the woods.

Lu Yin, clutching his chest, scrambled to his feet and pleaded, "Fellow Daoist, we have no grievances. May I ask for mercy to spare my life?"

The figure in the woods slowly approached, his face becoming visible in the sunlight.

"Who says we have no grievances? You came here to kill me."

Chu Xuan smiled.

Lu Yin was dumbstruck. He could never have imagined that the person who had just killed Zheng Changqing and destroyed all his defenses with a single strike was Chu Xuan! Wasn't he just a second-level Foundation Establishment cultivator?!

Damn! The intelligence was wrong!

Lu Yin took a deep breath and roared, "Chu Xuan, I will fight you to the death!"

With that, he summoned the Ice Toad Bell, ready to attack. But in the next moment, he kicked off the ground. He bolted away with a speed far exceeding his previous effort, employing an escape technique as he fled.

Chu Xuan was speechless.

The slogans were louder than one another. But when it came to fleeing, they were faster than one another.

However, Chu Xuan did not give chase. As Lu Yin looked back after running several dozen yards, seeing Chu Xuan still standing in the same spot, he burst out laughing.

"Ha!" Lu Yin exclaimed, his voice dripping with astonishment. "He never expected I'd feign battle only to flee! I must quickly inform others of Chu Xuan's true strength..."

His words were abruptly cut short as a dagger, formed from gloomy nether flames, plunged into his heart. The nether fire erupted within him, extinguishing his life force in an instant.

Lu Yin's head turned stiffly only to see a grotesque, ugly face looming behind him. "A...corpse puppet..."

With a thud, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Bao, carrying Lu Yin's body, scurried back to Chu Xuan's side.

Chu Xuan nodded in approval and stored the body in the Corpse Nurturing Tower. After all, they were fellow sect brothers, and it seemed only proper to tend to the dead.

"You little rascal, hiding a piece of flesh, eh?" Chu Xuan noticed Bao surreptitiously chewing on a piece of flesh and couldn't help but laugh.

Bao, caught in the act, sheepishly smiled and quickly swallowed the piece of flesh he had torn from Lu Yin.

"Come, let's see how our two senior brothers are doing," Chu Xuan suggested. "If I'm not mistaken, Wu Teng, that traitor, is likely to strike against them."

Chu Xuan retracted Bao into the Corpse Nurturing Tower, his form ghosting through the woods. Yet, he abruptly stopped after darting forward a short distance. The ground ahead seemed uneven upon closer inspection.

Chu Xuan noticed that trees and rocks—the dark, unseen places—were studded with array flags. A concealed deadly array lay ahead, just waiting for him to step into it.

Chu Xuan surveyed his surroundings and calmly called out, "You might as well show yourself."

Moments later, no one appeared, but a poisoned needle pierced the air, aiming directly at Chu Xuan's vital point.

Anticipating this, the Evil Soul Chain instantly positioned itself in front of him, deflecting the green-glowing poison needle.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

Several more poison needles shot toward him, each from a more cunning angle. Chu Xuan's eyes flickered as he sensed movement behind him. The Evil Soul Chain, like a massive black python, precisely blocked all incoming needles.

Suddenly, the Mystic Iron Shield materialized behind Chu Xuan, catching and splitting in two a thick poison needle aimed at his head.

"Found you!" Chu Xuan declared sharply.

His Yin Evil Demon Claw tore through the air, grasping fiercely and obliterating a large tree behind him.

As the tree crashed down, scattering wood chips and leaves, a muffled grunt was heard. A robust figure tumbled out.

Chu Xuan, relentless, pointed a finger, and two sinister shadows—Hu and Bao—charged forward. However, just as the two corpse puppets lunged, their opponent threw something, and two shadows—a tiger soul and a wolf soul sprang into action.

Hu and Bao immediately tangled with the tiger and wolf spirits, a chaotic fray unfolding.

Chu Xuan's gaze sharpened as he employed the Yin Evil Escape, swiftly closing the distance between himself and his opponent.

With a grand gesture, the Myriad Souls Banner unfurled, unleashing vengeful spirits and ferocious ghosts that tore through the air.

The adversary's face registered shock, his eyes widening as if he had no power to resist.

However, Chu Xuan, narrowing his eyes, sensed something amiss. Just as the spectral assailants were about to descend upon the robust cultivator, he uttered a low cry, his body bursting forth with golden light, forming a small, radiant protective halo around him—the Body Protecting Golden Wheel.

This golden wheel, though modest in size and brilliance, was unmistakably the Body Protecting Golden Wheel Decree from the Golden Dragon Temple, a natural bane of ghosts and malevolent spirits.

The ghosts shrieked in agony, like moths to a flame, instantly incinerated upon contact. Only a few stronger spirits managed to escape the conflagration, retreating back into the Myriad Souls Banner.

Chu Xuan frowned deeply. As the spirits returned, providing a momentary distraction by obscuring his opponent's line of sight, he pointed decisively. The Evil Soul Chain suddenly materialized, its speed erupting to its peak. It slithered like a terrifying black python, nearly binding the robust cultivator.

Buzz!

A sudden burst of flame sounded as another talisman on the cultivator's body burned to ash. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly widened the gap between them while shouting, "Tu!"

As Chu Xuan advanced, the ground beneath him vibrated unexpectedly. A demonic earth-colored beast burst forth, striking Chu Xuan from an unforeseen angle.

Clang!

The Blood Evil Shadow automatically appeared, thwarting this cunning and venomous attack. Struck by the Blood Evil Shadow, the beast howled pitifully, spewing a mouthful of blood before burrowing back into the earth and vanishing from sight.

The two stood apart, a hundred zhang between them, neither making a move. Chu Xuan regarded the robust cultivator with a mix of awe and suspicion. The other, breathing heavily, returned the gaze with equal parts astonishment and doubt.

In just a few exchanges, Chu Xuan realized that this robust cultivator was no ordinary foe like Lu Yin or Zheng Changqing. He must be a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, like himself! Was this person also sent to kill him?

Chapter 99: I, Li Xuanming

Chu Xuan was not confident he could quickly kill his opponent. Judging by the opponent's demeanor, it seemed they were also uncertain about continuing the fight and securing a kill. Continuing would mean both sides would have to reveal more of their trump cards. The benefits gained from killing at that point might not even outweigh the resources expended during the fight. It was a classic case of the gains not justifying the efforts.

The opponent's expression changed several times before they let out a laugh. "A misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. Let’s stop fighting, I'm leaving."

Chu Xuan barked, "You can't leave, I, Li Xuanming, don't approve!"

The other person paused, "...You’re not Li Xuanming, you're Chu Xuan."

Chu Xuan challenged, "Then who are you?"

With a sigh of resignation, the other replied, "I'm just a hired hand, I didn’t expect you to be so strong. I give up, I’ll just go back and kill my employer instead."

Chu Xuan insisted, "If you don't give me a name, we continue fighting."

The person sighed lightly, "Fine, I’ll tell you. I am Wang Jianyu."

Chu Xuan scoffed, "Wang Jianyu is Zhao Wuya's foremost disciple, an ultimate-grade Wind Spiritual Root, and a swordsman. There’s not even a hint of swordsmanship about you."

The man shrugged, "You caught me. Actually, I'm Duan Feipeng."

Chu Xuan shook his head, "You're lying again. Duan Feipeng is likely out there trying to rob Li Xuanming and Liu Zhenxiong."

The man smacked his lips in resignation, "Alright, I’ll tell you. I'm Han Liuyun. Can we stop fighting now? There are plenty of opportunities to profit from chaos right now, and every second wasted is a loss of many spirit stones. I don't want to keep this up."

Chu Xuan raised an eyebrow. So it was Han Liuyun. He hadn’t expected that. This Han Liuyun seemed even better at concealing his true capabilities than the rumors suggested. Perhaps this man was not inferior to either Duan Feipeng or Wang Jianyu.

"Leave, then."

Han Liuyun employed a fleeing technique, disappearing in a few flashes.

Chu Xuan stood in place for a while, then sneered, "You clearly haven’t left; you’re still ambushing me."

Silence all around.

After a long while, Chu Xuan rubbed his stiff legs and muttered, "No tricks came out; it seems he really left."

He then retracted his magical tools, Hu and Bao, into the tower and quickly departed. Wu Teng, that traitor who had betrayed him, had to be dealt with. Vengeance should not be delayed; it had to be exacted today.

Elsewhere, a frantic escape unfolded.

Li Xuanming and Liu Zhenxiong dashed through the terrain, desperation marked by the trail of blood they left behind. Li Xuanming bore a vivid scar across his chest while Liu Zhenxiong's side bled profusely, his complexion deathly pale. Behind them, four figures relentlessly pursued, led by none other than Wu Teng.

"Senior brother Li, Senior brother Liu, no need to run anymore, just stay," Wu Teng called out, his body gliding lightly across the ground like a swallow, closing the gap between them with each bound, yet never getting too close. Clearly, he was wary of any last-ditch defenses Li Xuanming and Liu Zhenxiong might have.

"Don't let his voice disturb you, he definitely has something up his sleeve," Li Xuanming whispered urgently.

Gritting his teeth, Liu Zhenxiong nodded, acknowledging the wisdom in those words.

"Senior brother Liu seems to have taken a particular interest in Chu Xuan, so I might as well tell you that Chu Xuan is probably dead by now," Wu Teng sneered mockingly. "Han Liuyun of the Heavenly Seal Trio took the spirit stones to personally execute him. Even with Chu Xuan's seventh-level Foundation Establishment capabilities, he couldn't have escaped death."

A cruel smile curled Wu Teng's lips as Liu Zhenxiong's eyes flashed with grief. He roared, "You have betrayed our master! Betrayed the Extreme Yin Cave! You deserve death, Wu Teng, I regret ever saving your life!"

Wu Teng laughed coldly, "It should be said that the master betrayed me, betrayed the Extreme Yin Cave. If he hadn't joined forces with Zhao Wuya and Huang Yuanwu to invade Wu Province and steal that precious treasure, would it have attracted the covetous eyes of Imperial Spirit Mountain? Would it have led to Zhu Taiji and others banding together to hunt him down? How else would I have been forced to seek a new allegiance?"

The ferocity in his eyes was unmistakable, "I was pushed into this corner!"

Just then, thunder tore through the air, a bolt striking unexpectedly!

Li Xuanming and Liu Zhenxiong's pupils contracted as they hastily dodged. Li Xuanming, less severely injured, narrowly escaped, but Liu Zhenxiong was struck directly on his left shoulder by the sudden thunderbolt.

He grunted in pain, his body hurling through the forest and breaking several large trees along his path.

Li Xuanming, filled with alarm, looked ahead to see a tall figure in blue robes standing there. The face was stern, the gaze indifferent. He knew this face all too well.

It was Duan Feipeng, the chief disciple under Zhu Taiji and one of the Heavenly Seal Trio!

Wu Teng let out a sinister chuckle, "Senior brother Duan, Li Xuanming is yours to deal with; I'll take care of Liu Zhenxiong!" With that, he and two other Foundation Establishment cultivators chased after Liu Zhenxiong.

Two other Foundation Establishment cultivators were closing in on Li Xuanming. Without sparing a glance at Duan Feipeng, Li Xuanming swiftly turned and charged at the two behind him. With a gesture, a black banner whipped violently through the air. Wraiths and fierce ghosts roared as they surged toward the duo. Caught off guard by Li Xuanming's swift decisiveness, they were forced to conjure their defensive magic tools for protection.

Li Xuanming took advantage of the moment to slip past them, fleeing into the distance. The wraiths and ghosts ferociously pounced but passed right through them—it was all an illusion.

"Fools," Duan Feipeng muttered coldly as he brushed past them, lightning flickering under his feet. His speed was extraordinary, akin to a deity striding on thunder. In the blink of an eye, he caught up to Li Xuanming.

"Thunderclap Strike!" Duan Feipeng shouted, pressing down with his finger. Countless points of lightning, like droplets of rain, overwhelmed Li Xuanming, forcing him to dodge desperately.

Boom, boom, boom! The Thunderclap Strikes blasted trees and rocks, sending splinters and shards flying everywhere. Each dodge slowed Li Xuanming down, and the debris pinpointed his location.

"Die," Duan Feipeng said emotionlessly, pressing down with another finger. A colossal, vague finger descended toward Li Xuanming. The grooves on the finger's surface resembled mountainous ravines, giving it the appearance of a giant's finger rather than one formed of condensed spiritual energy.

Li Xuanming roared and a small shield appeared in front of him along with a Blood Demon Shadow.

Crack!

The shield shattered.

Crack!

The shadow was obliterated. Li Xuanming spewed blood and flew backward, crashing through numerous giant trees.

Unlike Chu Xuan, who had sufficient Yin Evil Qi to craft three Blood Evil Shadows for protection, Li Xuanming had struggled over the years to forge just one, which Duan Feipeng now effortlessly destroyed. The gap between the mid and late stages of the Foundation Establishment was truly vast.

Just then, a robust, dark figure burst from the trees, drenched in blood. It was Liu Zhenxiong, who had already suffered a blow from Duan Feipeng. Having activated his Black Beast Demon Body, Liu's frame was massive and beast-like, covered in black fur, with immense strength and vibrant vitality. It was this Black Beast Demon Body that allowed him to temporarily fend off Wu Teng and three others, reuniting with Li Xuanming.

"Run!" Liu Zhenxiong roared, grabbing Li Xuanming and sprinting away.

"Trying to flee?" Duan Feipeng sneered. "Annihilation Thunder!"

He laughed coldly as both a sword and a saber magic tool materialized. The blades met, unleashing a terrifying column of thunderous light straight towards them!

The effort drained Duan Feipeng considerably, his complexion turning stark white.

Seeing this, Li Xuanming did not hesitate; he slapped Liu Zhenxiong's chest, hurling him towards the thunderous column while using the recoil to increase his own distance, fleeing into the distance!

Chapter 100: The Demonic Cultivator

Li Xuanming's face bore no trace of pity. He had survived the destruction of the Infinite Sect, escaping encirclement by countless righteous cultivators—a feat he had performed not infrequently.

As a demonic cultivator, he embraced ruthlessness; to him, the lives of others meant nothing if his own survival was at stake. Even Liu Zhenxiong, his fellow sect junior brother, was nothing more than a pawn to be sacrificed when necessary.

Liu Zhenxiong had not anticipated that his self-sacrificial attempt to save Li Xuanming would result in being explosively thrown aside and used as a human shield against Duan Feipeng's attack. His eyes dimmed, void of any curses or angry roars; he simply yearned for rest.

Boom!

The column of thunder swallowed him whole. His robes shattered, his flesh charred, and his bones melted. When the thunderous assault finally dissipated, only a charred corpse remained smashed upon the earth.

Duan Feipeng furrowed his brow, surprised by Li Xuanming's decisive action to forsake his junior brother to escape. He stamped the ground forcefully and vaulted over the scorched remains, continuing his pursuit.

Escape, escape, escape!

That was the only thought left in Li Xuanming's mind as the wind howled past his ears.

The distant sounds of battle from the main frontline reached him. If he could just make it back there, where countless cultivators witnessed the fray, Duan Feipeng would have to consider his status and reputation, likely staying his hand.

"Just need to get there…"

Li Xuanming could already see the low-quality spells clashing ahead—the battlefield of the Qi Refining cultivators.

But at that moment, a horrific ghostly wail pierced the air, and a black chain, serpent-like, suddenly appeared. In an instant, it ensnared and immobilized Li Xuanming completely.

Thud!

Unable to stop his forward momentum, Li Xuanming crashed violently into the mud and blood-soaked ground. As he struggled to his feet, he found himself facing someone—Chu Xuan.

Chu Xuan's eyes were filled with cold. After repelling Han Liuyun, he swiftly moved to this sector of the battlefield. Although he was strong enough to potentially kill Duan Feipeng, the effort would be immense, possibly leaving him severely wounded. Thus, he had remained hidden, waiting for an opportune moment to strike during one of Duan Feipeng's vulnerabilities.

He had witnessed the entire scene. Liu Zhenxiong had sacrificed himself to save Li Xuanming, only to be used as a human shield. Chu Xuan was not one to sacrifice himself for others; he always prioritized his own interests. Yet, he remembered the Tiger Soul Talisman Liu Zhenxiong had once given him—a rare act of kindness in this brutal and cold world of cultivation.

"Junior brother, I can explain. Better I live alone than we both die, so I..." Li Xuanming hastily began to explain.

Chu Xuan shook his head, "If you can betray senior brother Liu, one day you will betray me too. What use then is there in keeping you alive?"

With a swift motion, he clenched his hand. The Evil Soul Chain tightened violently.

Crack!

Li Xuanming's head was twisted off abruptly, his handsome face still marked by a mixture of shock and unwillingness. He had not expected that Chu Xuan would grant him no time to even finish his sentence before ending his life.

Casually, Chu Xuan collected Li Xuanming's corpse into the Corpse Nurturing Tower, then turned his attention to Duan Feipeng, who was slowly approaching.

Duan Feipeng, a tall, thin cultivator dressed in blue robes, was not handsome. His stern face was enough to deter countless cultivators.

"You're still alive; Han Liuyun really is useless," Duan Feipeng sneered.

Chu Xuan responded calmly, "Thinking Han Liuyun is useless just shows you're not much better."

Duan Feipeng made a flicking motion, and countless thunder-wrapped beams of light surged towards Chu Xuan. He spoke no idle words; his every move was an attack meant to kill.

Yet, Chu Xuan did not use the Yin Evil Escape to dodge. Instead, he stomped the ground, aggressively closing the distance between himself and Duan Feipeng.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The beams hadn't yet hit Chu Xuan when they were blocked by the Mystic Iron Shield. The sound of metal clashing rang out.

Duan Feipeng smirked coldly. Many thought he specialized in long-range thunder magic, but he also practiced close combat. Those cultivators who recklessly tried to close in on him often met grimmer fates.

As Chu Xuan closed to within thirty feet of Duan Feipeng, the latter swiftly changed his spell, clenching his fist to summon a massive axe wreathed in thunder into his palm. He bellowed angrily, swinging the axe directly at Chu Xuan's head.

In that moment, Chu Xuan roared back, his claw reaching fiercely toward Duan Feipeng's body, while the Evil Soul Chain wrapped around his throat.

"You won't block? Seeking death!" Duan Feipeng held the axe with both hands, nearly striking Chu Xuan's head.

However, in that instant, layers of golden light rose above Chu Xuan's head, and ethereal chants filled the air.

Suddenly, behind his head, a multicolored halo of rich mist appeared. The halo emanated tremendous force, forming a protective aura around his body.

Moreover, atop Chu Xuan's head, a small bell sounded with a resonant clang, adding to the formidable defenses now shielding him.

The force of meritorious power around Chu Xuan exploded with even greater intensity, forming a massive golden bell inverted around him, protecting him flawlessly. This dual defense was the manifestation of the Golden Dragon Temple's Body Protecting Golden Wheel Decree combined with the top-grade magic tool, the Merit Bell.

Clang!

The thunderous axe struck these layered defenses, not only failing to penetrate them but also being violently repelled. The hefty blade of the axe bore a significant notch as a result, nearly slipping from Duan Feipeng's grasp.

"Merit! Such formidable merit? How can this be? Isn't he a demonic cultivator?!" Duan Feipeng's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, his usually stern face almost losing composure in shock.

At that moment, Chu Xuan's counterattack arrived. The Yin Evil Demon Claw, fueled by Yin Evil Qi, immediately grasped Duan Feipeng's body.

The Evil Soul Chain, controlled by Huikong, precisely targeted Duan Feipeng's throat.

Duan Feipeng's top-tier defensive magic tool barely managed to hold under the dual assault, cracks spreading across it, signaling it wouldn't last much longer. Duan Feipeng struggled to raise his hand, attempting to cast a defensive spell.

However, Long had already materialized behind him, opening its gaping maw. The roar of a corpse puppet resounded as if a demon's whisper exploded right by his ear, causing Duan Feipeng's thoughts to stall, his mind going blank.

By the time he regained his senses, Chu Xuan's palm had already struck his chest.

Boom!

The terrifying Corpse Refining Blood Fire instantly erupted, engulfing him on the spot.

Duan Feipeng's agonized screams echoed through the flames, along with a few strained words, "I have a top-tier… magic tool… don't kill me…"

Regret flooded his heart. He had underestimated Chu Xuan, and before he could utilize any of his own trump cards, he had been trapped in this dire situation.

"Foolish, by killing you, your possessions also become mine," Chu Xuan sneered.

The fire burned even fiercer. Within moments, Duan Feipeng was reduced to a charred body, falling unconscious from the pain.

However, Chu Xuan did not let him die. Instead, he had Long and Hu bind him tightly and stand guard beside him.

Chu Xuan vividly remembered that Duan Feipeng possessed an ultimate grade Thunder Spiritual Root, and as a demonic cultivator, he knew techniques to transplant such Spiritual Roots for his own use!