What was that? A life-substitution technique?

Zhang Xian’s pupils contracted sharply. He instantly recognized the item for what it was: a high-grade secret treasure imbued with the laws of spatial teleportation. The moment the puppet activated, Yang Poxiao’s true body had likely been whisked away to a designated safe house.

Zhang Xian sighed inwardly. As expected of a fellow transmigrator with a System. Even with meticulous preparation, killing him was no simple task.

Fortunately, I managed to snatch a fragment of his memories before he vanished. At least I know some of his secrets now.

The entire Martial Arts Plaza had fallen into a deathly silence.

The spectators were reeling. Whether it was Zhang Xian’s inhuman, wallet-busting tactic of self-detonating over a dozen Spirit Treasures, Yang Poxiao’s terrifying eldritch black flame, or the final escape trick that allowed the villain to shed his skin like a cicada—all of it had shattered the cognitive limits of everyone present.

Even Emperor Xia Xuanyin, seated high on the dragon throne, wore a look of undisguised astonishment. His fingers drummed unconsciously on the armrest. Even as a Nascent Soul powerhouse, he had been genuinely stunned by the endless parade of trump cards.

After a long, stunned pause, the referee seemed to wake from a dream.

“The winner: Zhang Xian of the Yunmiao Sect!”

A heartbeat of silence followed, and then a tsunami of cheers erupted from the stands. The Yunmiao Sect disciples and Zhang Xian’s supporters were especially raucous, their faces flushed crimson with adrenaline.

Leaving the arena, Zhang Xian headed straight for the rest area.

Li Fuxi was leaning against the railing, supported by Lin Yinyin. Her face was pale, but her expression held more relief than worry. Seeing Zhang Xian safe and sound, the tension in her shoulders finally evaporated.

“Master,” Zhang Xian said gently as he approached. “Half the vengeance is done. It’s a pity that guy managed to slip away.”

Li Fuxi looked into his slightly weary but bright eyes. She shook her head gently, her gaze filled with a mix of heartache and pride. “Your safety is what matters most. There is no hurry for revenge.”

Her eyes fell on the damaged wooden doll in Zhang Xian’s hand, and her delicate brows furrowed. “Why are you still holding onto that unlucky thing?”

Zhang Xian smiled, turning the cool, strange material over in his fingers. “Just curious. It’s… interesting.”

He stored the doll away in his ring.

In the VIP stands, Hu Yanqing’s face was dark enough to drip ink.

Both the outcome and the process of this battle had spiraled far beyond his control. The sheer financial violence and the endless stream of forbidden methods Zhang Xian displayed made even him—a high-ranking executive of the Baoqing Workshop—feel a chill of fear.

And Yang Poxiao… that secret technique and the substitution puppet were unheard of. Even the Guiyuan Sect’s internal heritage didn’t contain items of that grade.

“Yang Poxiao must be found!” A cold light flashed in Hu Yanqing’s eyes.

Even if the boy’s cultivation was crippled, the secrets in his head were priceless. Without further delay, he gave a perfunctory salute in Emperor Xia Xuanyin’s direction, transformed into a streak of light, and shot away into the sky.

The final match of the Demon Sweeping Assembly was set for three days later. It would pit Zhang Xian against the overwhelmingly dominant Long Zhi. The eyes of the entire Southern Region were now locked onto this upcoming clash of titans.

The next afternoon, at the Yunmiao Sect’s residence villa.

Zhiyin’s figure quietly appeared outside the door of Zhang Xian’s meditation chamber. Without a word, she handed him a jade box emanating an aura of primordial chaos.

Inside lay the legendary [Creation Immortal Pill].

“Thank you!” Zhang Xian accepted it solemnly, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. Without delay, he sent a message to Yun Wanqing and headed straight for the Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s villa within the imperial palace grounds.

His hurried departure was witnessed by two figures standing by the window in the neighboring room.

Leaning against the window frame, Li Fuxi watched Zhang Xian disappear into the distance. She couldn’t suppress the flash of disappointment and gloom that darkened her eyes.

He… went to find Yun Wanqing again. At a time like this…

Lin Yinyin was even more furious. Her face flushed red as she raged internally.

Scumbag brother! Heartless jerk! Master suffered so much for you, shattered her own foundation for you, and you still have the mind to go secretly meet Yun Wanqing?! Even if you have to go, couldn’t you wait until night and sneak over? Are you really that desperate?

Looking at her master’s dim eyes and the way she struggled to maintain her composure, Lin Yinyin felt her heart breaking.

Wuwuwu, Master is so pitiful. To be toyed with like this… I won’t talk to Brother for the next three months!

Cloud Raiment Pavilion Villa.

As soon as Zhang Xian stepped into the courtyard, he saw Yun Qi standing there, looking like a wilted vegetable. Seeing Zhang Xian, Yun Qi’s mouth twitched, his expression complex. He had just been ordered by his aunt to stand at the entrance like a glorified doorman.

“Well, well! If it isn’t my big nephew Yun Qi!” Zhang Xian was in high spirits. “Come on, call me ‘Uncle’!”

Yun Qi responded with an eye-roll so massive it nearly audibly creaked.

At that moment, Yun He came out, beaming with delight. Seeing Zhang Xian, he stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “Hahahaha! Nephew—oh no, Son-in-law! You’re here!”

He enthusiastically grabbed Zhang Xian’s sleeve, as if afraid the walking treasury might run away.

Zhang Xian smiled and returned the courtesy. “Uncle, I’m here to see Qingqing.”

Hearing “Qingqing,” Yun Qi shuddered visibly, looking nauseated.

Yun He gave a knowing, ambiguous smile, nodding repeatedly. “Qingqing is waiting for you inside!”

He then turned and shot Yun Qi a meaningful look, raising his voice theatrically. “Qi’er! Didn’t you say there’s an important merchant association banquet tonight? It’s getting late. We should hurry!”

What banquet? Since when do I know about this?

Yun Qi was stunned for a moment before the realization hit him. Damn it! This is just an excuse to kick us out and make room for Zhang Xian and Yun Wanqing! This is utterly unreasonable!

“Ah… right, right! The banquet! They’re just waiting for us. Let’s go,” Yun Qi complained internally but played along helplessly.

Seeing his future father-in-law and big nephew being so accommodating, Zhang Xian was immensely pleased. He immediately retrieved a fiery-red greatcoat from his storage ring and handed it to Yun He.

“Uncle, wait a moment. A small token of my appreciation for your trouble.”

Yun He’s eyes lit up. A Fire-attribute defensive Spirit Treasure? Forgetting all pretense of restraint, he grabbed the coat. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, with spiritual light shimmering within. He grinned so wide his face nearly split.

“Aiyaya! Son-in-law, you’re too kind! Too kind!”

Zhang Xian then looked at the aggrieved Yun Qi. Thinking that the guy had technically become his junior, he ought to compensate him a bit. He took out a slender, Fire-attribute Spirit Sword.

“Here! Big nephew, this longsword is for you. Speaking of which, if it weren’t for you playing matchmaker back then, Qingqing and I might never have met.”

Who the hell played matchmaker?!

But looking at the Spirit Treasure sword being offered, feeling its pure fire spiritual power and sharp aura, Yun Qi’s indignation vanished. He quickly accepted it, caressing the blade lovingly.

Dignity is cheap. Spirit Treasures are forever.

Watching from the side, Yun He beamed, then immediately put on a stern face to lecture. “Qi’er! Hurry up and thank your uncle!”

Yun Qi held the sword, looked at Zhang Xian’s youthful face, and felt the words “Thank you, Uncle” stuck in his throat like a fishbone. His face flushed bright red.

It took him a long, painful moment to squeeze two words out from between his teeth.

“Thank you!”

Zhang Xian laughed heartily and patted his shoulder. “Forget it, forget it. Big nephew isn’t used to it yet. Once Qingqing and I are formally married, you can change how you address me then!”

He delayed no further, gave a cupped-hand salute to the two, turned, and pushed open the door to Yun Wanqing’s inner chamber.