Decades of effort, destroyed in an instant by Ling Xiao, Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable’s heart was bleeding.
Boom!
He suddenly broke open the stone door of his seclusion, then transformed into a streak of black flame, rushing towards the Moonlight Pagoda.
In fact, his injuries had long healed, as he used his clone, along with Black Spirit’s help, to obtain many valuable items from the Moonlight Pagoda.
During this time, he pretended his injuries hadn’t healed, purely focusing on cultivation. Now, his cultivation was no longer at the initial stage of the Heavenly Human Realm. He had surpassed Guanghan Heavenly Venerable, Golden Light Heavenly Venerable, and others, becoming a pivotal figure among the inner sect elders.
Ling Xiao was unaware of Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable’s situation. After destroying the clone Wang Nan, he activated his Mountain River Martial Soul to search for Bai Feifei’s whereabouts.
Since he had killed the clone Wang Nan, Bai Feifei couldn’t be spared either, otherwise, she would remain a lingering threat.
However, after searching the entire City Lord’s Mansion, he still couldn’t find Bai Feifei. Instead, at the location of the Trapped Dragon Formation, he saw a withered corpse. Upon closer inspection, he realised it was Bai Feifei.
“Blimey, this Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable is ruthless. No wonder he escaped my Trapped Dragon Formation, he actually absorbed Bai Feifei’s true essence energy.”
Ling Xiao felt a chill, thinking Bai Feifei truly brought this upon herself.
If it were her father, Master Baiyun, he would never do something so vile.
However, Bai Feifei was likely not dead, perhaps teleported outside the Moonlight Pagoda, eliminated.
Since she was eliminated, that was fine, sparing him the trouble of her persistent harassment. Next, Ling Xiao planned to find Dai Yuling, Shangguan Lei, and Leng Hao, as entering the fourth stage required at least four people.
When he retrieved the disc earlier, he had analysed it, the disc required at least four martial artists to inject true essence simultaneously to activate.
Luckily, he had three allies, otherwise, he’d have to ask Tantai Lingzi for help.
Whoosh!
Using Golden Light Dragon Wings, Ling Xiao instantly shot out of the City Lord’s Mansion.
At this speed, he could move freely in Black Spirit City, as none of the guards could catch up to him.
After training in the Land of Dragons, his mastery of Golden Light Dragon Wings had become even more proficient. He believed that within the Mortal Realm, no one could match his speed.
The moment he stepped out of Black Spirit City, his brows suddenly furrowed.
He nearly forgot, every so often in the third stage, the danger would multiply.
Although he had avoided attacks from eighth- and ninth-level ferocious beasts, what came next would likely be even more terrifying, half-step Heavenly Venerable-level beasts.
Due to the powerful dragon might in the Land of Dragons, eighth- and ninth-level beasts wouldn’t act recklessly.
But half-step Heavenly Venerable-level beasts were barely affected.
Even more terrifying, it seemed the Black Spirit organisation had begun to move. Except for their leader, Ancient Ship King, who remained on the ancient ship, the rest of the Black Spirits had spread out, aiming to kill all the trial disciples.
Moreover, the trial disciples they killed would likely have their souls temporarily suppressed, unable to leave the Moonlight Pagoda unless the Black Spirits were destroyed.
Danger!
He needed to quickly find Dai Yuling and the others before they were killed before entering the fourth stage.
He sensed the danger, and the other disciples felt it too.
Tantai Lingzi, Liu Lie, Dai Yuling, Shangguan Lei, and Leng Hao all felt an inexplicable tremor in their hearts, a sense of extreme danger lingering.
At this point, Dai Yuling’s cultivation had advanced to the early sixth level of the Mortal Realm.
Shangguan Lei’s cultivation had reached the late seventh level of the Mortal Realm.
Leng Hao had surpassed Shangguan Lei, advancing to the peak seventh level of the Mortal Realm.
Without other opportunities, they had been cultivating and improving their strength, relying on the pills and spiritual fruits Ling Xiao left them. Their cultivation had soared uncontrollably.
Tantai Lingzi’s cultivation had also advanced from the peak eighth level to the early ninth level of the Mortal Realm, crossing both the Invincible and Unmatched minor realms, reaping significant benefits.
Liu Lie’s cultivation had improved as well, though the least, reaching only the peak fourth level of the Mortal Realm.
Regardless, those who focused on cultivation had all achieved breakthroughs.
Bai Feifei, who had been following Demon Flame Heavenly Venerable aimlessly, hadn’t made any progress in her cultivation or gained any benefits.
As for Wu Yang and Qin Wu, their situation was unclear. They were likely possessed by Black Spirits, with no change in their cultivation, still at the seventh level of the Mortal Realm.
For Dai Yuling, Leng Hao, and Shangguan Lei, achieving such breakthroughs in one visit to the Moonlight Pagoda was already very satisfying.
So, even facing the impending crisis, they weren’t afraid, at worst, they’d be eliminated.
But Ling Xiao couldn’t let them die.
After leaving Black Spirit City, Ling Xiao headed straight to Dai Yuling’s cultivation site.
When he arrived, several Black Spirit organisation martial artists were fiercely attacking the formation he had set up, on the verge of breaking it.
Ling Xiao let out a cold snort, his Heavenly Astral Flying Sword shot through the air, easily killing the Black Spirit martial artists, who were only around the seventh level of the Mortal Realm.
“Yuling, come with me!”
Without much explanation, Ling Xiao called out to Dai Yuling, and the two hurried to Shangguan Lei’s cultivation site.
In a similar situation, Ling Xiao rescued Shangguan Lei.
“Next, Leng Hao!”
When Ling Xiao, Dai Yuling, and Shangguan Lei reached Leng Hao’s cultivation site, they all gasped.
The protective formation around Leng Hao had completely shattered. Hundreds of metres away, a terrifying stone giant was swinging a large tree, wreaking havoc.
A half-step Heavenly Venerable-level beast!
It seemed to be at one-tenth strength, not too strong.
Ling Xiao analysed the situation.
Though Leng Hao’s cultivation wasn’t high, his exceptional adaptability kept him alive, despite severe injuries.
“Five-Faced Monster, take care of that thing!”
The Five-Faced Monster, previously released from the seal card, had been following Ling Xiao. Dai Yuling and Shangguan Lei had long wanted to ask about it, but since Ling Xiao was in a hurry, they hadn’t dared to inquire.
Now, as the Five-Faced Monster shot forward to engage the stone giant, Shangguan Lei finally spoke.
“Brother Ling, it seems you’ve gained a great opportunity.”
“Just lucky!”
Ling Xiao gave a faint smile, offering no further explanation.
The matter of the Seal Book had to remain secret, otherwise, it would surely attract unwanted attention.
As the Five-Faced Monster battled the stone giant, Ling Xiao went to rescue Leng Hao, and Dai Yuling began treating him.
With all three rescued, Ling Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. The fourth stage should be no problem, they could proceed.
“Sorry, I owe you another life.”
Leng Hao gave a bitter smile.
