Dao of The Demonic Cultivator

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!