The moment Zhou Kai stepped into Li Youci’s cave dwelling, a thought solidified in his mind.

Li Youci never goes all out against her own people. She resists obedience but yields to defiance. The more forceful I am, the more likely I can lead her by the nose…

His gaze swept across the chamber, landing on the depths of the cave. There, the familiar Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan floated silently, its curtains drawn tight, shrouded in mystery.

“Your subordinate, Zhou Kai, pays his respects to the Young Miss,” he called out, his voice ringing clear.

“Hmph,” a cold snort echoed from within the sedan. “Speak. What brings you barging into my abode in the dead of night? Could it be… those women have upset you?”

“Exactly!” Zhou Kai replied, neither subservient nor arrogant. “What the Young Miss did to my Dao Companions is far too overbearing! Why did you refine them into those Spirit Platform Fuel Fire Talismans without even consulting me?!”

From within the sedan, Li Youci’s voice carried a distinct note of mockery.

“Consult you? Zhou Kai, have you forgotten your place? When has this Young Miss ever needed to explain her actions to a subordinate?”

“Besides,” she continued, “this talisman is a heaven-sent opportunity for them. And for you, it is adding wings to a tiger. It is a perfect outcome. You should be grateful!”

Zhou Kai laughed—a harsh, bitter sound.

“That excruciating pain… you call that doing me a favor? Do you have any idea what kind of inhuman torment they endured? You used that Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror to twist their minds, making them fear me. Is this your so-called ‘goodwill’?”

He stepped forward. “I, Zhou Kai, am their opportunity. I don’t need charity from outsiders!”

“Impudent! Who is an out—”

The voice halted abruptly. Li Youci swiftly changed tack.

“Pain? They bore it willingly. If they can’t endure a little hardship, how can they speak of the Great Dao? As for the Mysterious Nether Precious Mirror, it merely helped them understand their place and remain utterly loyal to you. What’s wrong with that?”

Her tone turned sultry. “Don’t men like obedient women? You should be thanking me.”

“My Dao Companions’ character, I know perfectly well!” Zhou Kai’s voice was firm, resonant like striking metal. “Their feelings for me are clear as day, unwavering even unto death! There is absolutely no need for such underhanded methods to control them!”

“Unwavering unto death? Heh, can you truly know their hearts?” A derisive laugh drifted from the sedan. “Human hearts are fickle, especially a woman’s heart. I am helping you eliminate future troubles once and for all, yet you fail to appreciate it!”

“Enough!” Zhou Kai cut her off sharply.

“Senior Sister Li, I ask you just one thing. Do you dare to remove the influence of the mirror and let me see with my own eyes whether their feelings are genuine?”

He deliberately emphasized “Senior Sister Li,” shattering the barrier of rank.

“Impudent!”

An angry shout erupted from the sedan. A vast Aura Pressure crashed down on Zhou Kai.

Zhou Kai felt his soul shudder, as if crushed by a ten-thousand-pound boulder. But he guarded his mind, his body remaining perfectly still as he stared down the Dark Cloud Soul Chasing Sedan.

“What? Is Senior Sister Li perhaps afraid?” Zhou Kai’s tone dripped with sarcasm as he pressed forward, step by step.

“Afraid that my Dao Companions aren’t as despicable as you imagine? Or is it that you, the lofty Young Miss, only dare to hide inside your sedan? Do you lack the courage to face a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like me?”

“Provocation? It won’t work on me!”

Despite her words, the sedan curtain whipped open with a violent gust of wind.

A graceful figure drifted out like a ghost. Her beautiful face was frosty, her phoenix eyes sharp and murderous. Soul and Nether flames intertwined around her, rising like steam as she stared coldly at Zhou Kai.

“Zhou Kai, do you truly believe this Young Miss won’t kill you?”

Although the cave was spacious, the massive sedan was cramped here. Li Youci flipped her jade-like hand. A flash of light emerged from her dantian, and a pitch-black, ghostly banner materialized in her grip.

On the banner’s surface, countless twisted shadows flickered, emitting shrill, mournful howls. It seemed as if ten thousand evil spirits were struggling to break free, ready to devour anyone in sight.

The Banner of Ten Thousand Souls!

Zhou Kai’s pupils contracted. This was a notorious, vicious artifact of the Demonic Path!

What shocked him even more was the aura. It harmonized perfectly with Li Youci’s own Qi. And she had retrieved it from her dantian—it was a Lifebound Artifact!

How could one person have two Lifebound Artifacts?

In an instant, Zhou Kai understood. Li Youci had a True Body and a Ghost Body. Two bodies, two artifacts.

But… the esteemed Young Miss of the righteous Calamity Abyss Valley had actually refined such an evil object?

Li Youci took a step forward, the banner fluttering. The ghostly energy within the cave surged, becoming thick and suffocating.

“Zhou Kai!” she shouted, her voice trembling with fury—and perhaps something else.

“I taught you techniques! My brother gave you Spirit Qi! Yet you have accomplished nothing and show no gratitude, defying me repeatedly!”

“Considering you have some courage, get out of my sight now! I will forgive your insolence. Otherwise… I will let you taste the agony of having your soul refined by this banner!”

As she spoke, she flicked her wrist. Four talismans emitting a faint glow drifted toward Zhou Kai.

The Unsealing Talismans.

Zhou Kai watched them fall. He didn’t catch them. He let them scatter at his feet.

He keenly sensed something. Despite her fierce words and murderous aura, deep within her eyes lurked a strange glint he had seen during their first encounter.

Excitement. Anticipation.

She was actively throwing him the “antidote.” This was not the behavior of someone intent on killing.

We’ve reached this point, and she still doesn’t attack?

Zhou Kai’s mind raced. Is she backed into a corner by my provocation, afraid that hurting me would leave no way out? Or is she waiting for me to give her an excuse—a “justifiable” reason to vent without causing permanent damage?

There’s no need to push head-on anymore. Her posturing is just to save face. In that case…

The anger on his face vanished instantly. He bowed deeply.

“Young Miss, please calm your anger! Your subordinate spoke recklessly in the heat of the moment.”

“Your subordinate is utterly loyal! It is just that my Dao Companions’ drastic change left me deeply worried, unable to eat or sleep. That is why I spoke out of turn. I beg Young Miss for forgiveness!”

The sudden shift left Li Youci choking on her next threat. Her brows furrowed in surprise.

This guy changes his tune faster than flipping a book?

Zhou Kai continued smoothly. “How could I fail to understand Young Miss’s good intentions? However… your subordinate boldly wishes to personally experience Young Miss’s methods.”

“If Young Miss would deign to instruct me, even a little, I would be endlessly grateful. I will accompany you to the end!”

He flipped his wrist. The pitch-black Chaotic Sky Hammer appeared in his palm.

“I know my words were improper. If Young Miss still harbors anger, I am willing to use my meager cultivation to receive a move or two from you… as an apology!”

The Chaotic Sky Hammer grew with the wind. On its jet-black head, faint threads of green seeped out, as if ancient slumbering wood had revived. The cold iron took on a warm, woody luster.

“Oh? You wish to spar with me?”

Li Youci’s eyes brightened. A hint of a smile played on her lips.

“Very well. Let this Young Miss see exactly what you are made of!”

The Banner of Ten Thousand Souls in her hand shook violently.

Whoosh—!

Wailing ghosts and howling spirits erupted. Countless ferocious beast souls roared out from the banner, transforming into streams of black energy that coiled and writhed, claws bared.

Their momentum was fierce, yet they hesitated to pounce.

Zhou Kai analyzed instantly: Only beast souls, not human souls. And this attack… it’s all bark, no bite.

She was holding back. Massively.

“Here it comes!”

Zhou Kai shouted low. His Vitality surged, the power of Bone Forging erupting without reservation.

The hammer blazed with green light, wood-attribute Spirit Qi merging with raw force. He didn’t dodge. He swung the hammer head-on into the torrent of souls!