The Dragon Gate Assembly had concluded, and the clamor had long since faded. Only a few cultivators remained within Broken Wood Bay—among them, Zhou Kai, who seemed in no hurry to leave.

“Husband, when shall we depart?” Chen Ziyi nestled beside Zhou Kai, her voice soft and tinged with worry.

Although Broken Wood Bay appeared calm on the surface, she wasn’t oblivious to the dangerous undercurrents swirling beneath it.

Zhou Kai gently stroked her silken hair, his gaze profound. “No rush, Ziyi. Broken Wood Bay is currently a mix of dragons and snakes. It’s safer to wait until most of the cultivators have scattered before we set off.”

He and Fu Sheng had already shown their cards; both sides were waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Zhou Kai could even vaguely sense several concealed gazes monitoring their movements from outside the inn.

At that moment, in another corner of the same inn, Fu Sheng and his two companions also had not departed.

Xiong Gang scratched his head and ears, looking visibly agitated. “Why haven’t that brat surnamed Han and his sister scrammed yet? I’m losing my patience! Boss, why don’t we just charge in…”

“Fool!” Fu Sheng coldly rebuked him, twirling the Rotting Bone Judge’s Brush in his hand. Its tip was jet-black, exuding a faint scent of blood. He smiled lightly. “Patience. I’ve already had Wu Yong’s spirit ravens keep a tight watch on them. This kid is extremely cautious. The longer he stays put, the more it suggests he has something to rely on. We must be careful not to capsize our boat in a gutter. The prey will eventually leave its cage; they cannot escape.”

Wu Yong spoke hoarsely, “My spirit ravens report that the two of them keep to themselves, rarely venturing out. Only Han Cheng occasionally steps out, but only within the inn to look around.”

Hu Yongyu also loitered around the inn as if by chance. Even before the Dragon Gate Assembly began, he knew Zhou Kai wouldn’t depart immediately for Calamity Abyss Valley.

Finally, at dusk on the fifth day, he “chanced upon” Zhou Kai.

“Little Friend Han.” Hu Yongyu’s face was wreathed in smiles, as if the incident with the Flowing Light Sparrow had never happened. “I haven’t seen you out and about these past few days. Are you perhaps waiting for someone, or do you have other matters to attend to?”

Zhou Kai replied indifferently, “Does Fellow Daoist Hu have business with me?”

“Hehe, nothing major, really. It’s just that you seem to have no intention of leaving. After all, Broken Wood Bay isn’t an ideal place for cultivation. I wonder…” A flicker of inquiry passed through Hu Yongyu’s eyes.

“My younger sister suffered a fright some days ago. Her spiritual energy circulation is slightly impeded. She needs to recuperate here quietly for a few days to regulate herself properly before we continue our journey.”

“Oh, I see. Then Fellow Daoist Han must take good care of your sister. If there’s any help you need, just speak up. I have some modest influence here in Broken Wood Bay.” A strange glint flashed in Hu Yongyu’s eyes. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, he bid farewell and left.

Another five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Broken Wood Bay became utterly deserted. The once-bustling streets now held only a few dozen cultivators at most, most of them hurrying along, unwilling to linger.

During these five days, Zhou Kai and Chen Ziyi hardly stepped foot outside.

Zhou Kai poured all the points gained from his recent deep “exchanges” with Ziyi into himself.

His body cultivation broke through directly to Meridian Opening Layer Five. Back when he was at Layer Four, restoring his vitality had returned his physique and appearance to that of a twenty-five or twenty-six-year-old. Now, with this breakthrough, the changes were even more pronounced.

He didn’t become younger-looking; instead, his muscles bulged and knotted powerfully, his skeletal frame seeming to thicken all around. His entire body grew slightly taller out of thin air, brimming with explosive strength. He now resembled a burly giant—a transformation identical to when Chen Ziyi had broken through.

Had he not anticipated it beforehand, Zhou Kai might have been startled by his own appearance.

Fortunately, he had gained initial insight into the Cicada Shell Shadow Hiding technique. While it couldn’t drastically alter his physique or facial features, it allowed him to compress his bulging muscles and make his bone structure less conspicuous.

Though still somewhat more robust and exuding a refined vigor compared to before his breakthrough, he was no longer that terrifying giant form.

“The newly formed Cicada Shell is indeed profound.” Zhou Kai nodded inwardly, raising his estimation of the Cicada Shell Art even higher.

Beside him, Chen Ziyi had not been idle these ten days either.

Though she hadn’t cultivated a Cicada Shell yet, her control over her own aura became increasingly adept. Suppressing her realm fluctuations was now effortless; ordinary people couldn’t discern her true cultivation at all.

That night was moonless and windy; it was so dark one couldn’t see their hand in front of their face.

Inside their inn room, both Zhou Kai and Chen Ziyi changed into black robes convenient for movement. They pulled up their hoods, covering most of their faces.

Silently as shadows, they leaped from the window into the night and swiftly left Broken Wood Bay.

They traveled swiftly through the howling night wind, their figures darting rapidly through the forest.

When they reached a dense forest about ninety li from Broken Wood Bay, Zhou Kai quietly retrieved a Transmission Talisman from his robe.

It was the very same one sold to him by Gao Feiyang back then. Gao Feiyang had solemnly promised: within a hundred li of Broken Wood Bay, if he encountered danger, he could use this talisman to send word. Two hundred Spirit Stones for one intervention.

Zhou Kai didn’t want any mishaps during combat; he needed to make thorough preparations.

With a pulse of Mana from his fingertip, the talisman ignited without fire. It transformed into a faint wisp of blue smoke that curled upward before dissipating into the thick darkness without causing the slightest ripple.

“Senior Brother Gao… business has arrived.”

After doing this, Zhou Kai turned to Chen Ziyi, his expression growing more serious. “Ziyi, if anything unexpected happens later, don’t hold back on using talismans. Preserving yourself is paramount. Guard my left side; focus primarily on using Green Wood Barrier Talismans. If an opportunity arises… don’t hesitate to use the Fiend Gold Sword Talismans.”

Chen Ziyi nodded firmly, her eyes resolute. “Husband rest assured; I understand.”

They found a relatively clean spot under a tree and pretended to meditate and recover while actually spreading their Divine Sense wide open around them.

Light footsteps sounded from within the forest not far away… gradually approaching.

Zhou Kai and Chen Ziyi exchanged a glance but remained motionless.

A figure emerged—it was Hu Yongyu.

“Han Cheng… long time no see.” He stared at Chen Ziyi for a moment and relaxed slightly upon finding she was only at Qi Condensation Layer Two.

He chuckled darkly. “Han Cheng… let’s speak plainly as men of understanding… I came here today to offer you some advice.”

“Oh? I’m all ears.” Zhou Kai’s face was expressionless; his voice betrayed neither joy nor anger.

“You may not know this… but although your talisman is second-grade with considerable power… with your early Qi Condensation cultivation… it’s probably very difficult for you to fully unleash its potential… If used recklessly… not only would it be an utter waste… but it might even backlash against you…”

“How about this… hand over all your talismans… tokens… and Storage Bag… and let your sister accompany me…”

Before Hu Yongyu could finish speaking, killing intent surged fiercely within Zhou Kai. First, there was still that unpredictable Fu Sheng lurking in the darkness behind him—he had no time for idle chatter with trash like this! Second… how dare he covet his woman?! He was courting death!

In that split-second thought process, a cold light flashed in Zhou Kai’s eyes! He gave Hu Yongyu absolutely no chance to react!

A Fiend Gold Sword Talisman shot out from his sleeve, activating mid-air!

Three inch-long golden swords materialized out of thin air! Their blades shimmered with flowing light—razor-sharp—streaking forth with piercing whistles that tore through the air! They crisscrossed straight toward Hu Yongyu’s face, throat, and dantian!

“You—!” Hu Yongyu’s pupils constricted violently!

He wanted to dodge! He wanted to summon defensive artifacts! He even wanted to beg for mercy! But everything was far too late!

The Fiend Gold Sword Talisman equaled a strike from a Qi Condensation Layer Eight cultivator—how swift was that? How could someone like him—a mid-Qi Condensation cultivator caught off guard and filled with greed—possibly block or evade it?!

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The golden swords pierced through Hu Yongyu’s three vital points without hindrance, sending three jets of blood spurting out!

Hu Yongyu’s eyes widened, filled with disbelief and terror. His body stiffened on the spot, then collapsed heavily onto the ground with a thump—his life extinguished instantly!

Zhou Kai moved as swiftly as lightning, snatching up Hu Yongyu’s Storage Bag before the corpse even hit the ground—the whole process was as clean and efficient as a hawk swooping down on a hare!

Chen Ziyi stood aside, somewhat tense, yet forcing herself to remain calm. Her palm gripping her talismans was slightly sweaty, but seeing how easily Hu Yongyu fell eased a great weight off her heart.

Her grip loosened slightly as she looked toward Zhou Kai, her eyes filled with trust and admiration.

After doing all this, Zhou Kai didn’t even spare a glance at Hu Yongyu’s corpse. Instead, he sharply raised his head, looking deep into the dense forest, and shouted loudly:

“Fellow Daoist Fu! Fellow Daoist Wu! Fellow Daoist Xiong!”

“My Fiend Gold Sword Talismans are precious treasures indeed… once activated, they last only the time it takes an incense stick to burn!”

“If the three of you don’t show yourselves soon… these three blades, sharp enough to cut iron like mud, will go completely to waste! That would be a huge loss for me!”

“Or perhaps… you want to wait until my talismans expire, and then come pick up a bargain?”

His voice carried far, echoing clearly through the silent night forest.