“A discussion?”

Ye Guxing’s gaze swept over the four Golden Core cultivators—Daoist Lingxiu, Daoist Lingyin, Qin Ting, and Xiao Wen. His voice was laced with icy mockery. “How exactly do you propose we have this ‘detailed discussion’? And what, pray tell, is there to discuss?”

“We wish to discuss our previous cooperation with the Spirit Beast Sect,” Daoist Lingxiu of the Mystic One Sect said, proactively broaching the taboo subject. “As well as the origin of the conflict concerning Wanchun Valley.”

Sect Leader Qi’s expression remained frosty. “That is rare. I assumed you would continue to dance around the issue.”

“Given the current situation, continuing to feign ignorance would be nothing short of hypocrisy,” Daoist Lingxiu replied solemnly. “Every day we avoid the topic is another day the bad blood between us festers. It is better to lance the boil now.”

He took a breath, looking from Ye Guxing to Qi Wanfa. “Let us lay the truth bare, from beginning to end, so both Sect Leaders can judge for yourselves.”

“It began four years ago. Two envoys arrived from a major sect in the Central Heaven Domain.”

“They met with the Spirit Beast Sect, the Mystic One Sect, and the Little Sky Net Sect. The envoys had a singular demand: they wanted the earth vein of Wanchun Valley. Furthermore, they demanded that the vein be completely depopulated. If we could accomplish this within thirty years, they promised us a Nascent Soul Pill—a chance for one of us to ascend to the Nascent Soul realm.”

A heavy silence fell over the group.

“The Spirit Beast Sect proposed a plan,” Lingxiu continued. “Our three sects would join forces, frame Wanchun Valley for colluding with Demonic Cultivators, and then contact the Spirit Sword Sect to ‘purge’ the valley. This would fulfill the Upper Sect’s requirement and allow us to split the spoils evenly. It was a failsafe to ensure that no single sect monopolized the Nascent Soul Pill while the others worked in vain.”

Sect Leader Qi was visibly shaken. “Is this true?”

“Every word,” Daoist Lingxiu affirmed. “Until a few months ago, we believed the Spirit Beast Sect was still adhering to this plan.”

“It was only when we discovered they were capturing mortals to cultivate the Blood Refining Technique that we realized the truth. Song Wanxiong never intended to share the spoils. He plans to become a Demonic Cultivator, devour the entire Southern Domain, and reign supreme alone.”

“Song Wanxiong even went to great lengths to invite our sects to his mountain for a ‘meeting.’ His ill intentions were blatant; he intended to trap us. Under these circumstances, we naturally cannot continue our alliance with him.”

Sect Leader Qi weighed the explanation. It was logical, terrifyingly so. Though suspicion still gnawed at him, the pieces fit.

“I thought it was merely the Spirit Beast Sect coveting our resources,” Qi Wanfa muttered. “But an Upper Sect from the Central Heaven Domain? What is so special about Wanchun Valley’s earth vein? Even we don’t know. Why would someone hundreds of thousands of miles away desire it?”

Ye Guxing frowned, his sharp mind picking apart the narrative. “If this is true, the situation is riddled with anomalies.”

“If a great sect from the Central Heaven Domain wants the vein, why not demand it directly? Why play these games? Why not send a Nascent Soul cultivator to seize it by force?”

“The Southern Domain has no Nascent Soul cultivators. Yet they offer a pill to create one here? Do they intend for this new Nascent Soul expert to unify the Southern Domain under their banner?”

“We truly do not know their motives,” Daoist Lingxiu admitted helplessly. “But the Upper Sect’s arrangements surely have their reasons.”

“Regardless, the Spirit Beast Sect has gone rogue. They view us as mere livestock for their cultivation. The original plan was nothing more than bait. We have no choice but to cooperate with you to exterminate them.”

Lingxiu paused, then cast a probing look at Qi Wanfa. “Sect Leader Qi, the envoys gave us a thirty-year deadline. Twenty-six years remain.”

“If Wanchun Valley wishes to avoid annihilation, you might consider trading the earth vein for the Nascent Soul Pill, or perhaps relocating your disciples entirely. It would be a way to survive the coming storm.”

“If not… even ignoring the greed of our sects, once the thirty years are up, you will face the wrath of the Central Heaven Domain. Do you really think Wanchun Valley can survive that?”

Qi Wanfa’s eyes narrowed. “I believe you covet the vein. But your words reek of intimidation. Whether the threat from the Central Heaven Domain is absolute remains to be seen.”

“We will investigate this later,” Qi Wanfa said firmly. “Today, the priority is the extinction of the Spirit Beast Sect.”

Ye Guxing nodded, his hand resting on his sword hilt. “Correct. And for that, your two sects will still take the lead.”

“Let us begin.”

Daoist Lingxiu bowed slightly. “The Mystic One Sect will do its utmost to breach the formation.”

Qin Ting of the Little Sky Net Sect stepped forward. “Our scouts have confirmed the situation inside. Apart from the two Golden Core cultivators, Song Wanxiong and Di Ping, there is an ancient Spirit Beast in the forbidden area—a Golden Core ninth-layer monster.”

“Once the formation falls, those three will be our primary targets.”

Sect Leader Qi stared at him, his suspicion deepening. “You know their internal affairs remarkably well. Almost as if you’ve seen it with your own eyes.”

“The Spirit Beast Sect acts perversely,” Qin Ting explained smoothly. “Many deacons and disciples have fled in terror. We took some in and interrogated them.”

“Then show me,” Ye Guxing said coldly. “Show me exactly how much effort you can exert.”

The coalition moved. The forces of the Mystic One and Little Sky Net sects took point, with Ye Guxing shadowing them like a grim reaper. The disciples of the Spirit Sword Sect and Wanchun Valley followed at a cautious distance, weapons drawn.

They arrived at the Spirit Beast Sect’s mountain gate without resistance. The sect was sealed tight, silent as a tomb.

Daoist Lingyin and Daoist Lingxiu stepped forward, pointing out specific nodes in the shimmering energy barrier to Ye Guxing.

“According to the defectors, the flaws in the Guardian Formation lie here and here.”

“We will break it now.”

The two Golden Core cultivators sprang into action. One soared into the sky, the other planted his feet firmly before the gate. Both held fistfuls of high-grade Talismans.

Boom!

Two pillars of golden light slammed into the formation. The barrier shuddered, and immediately, a layer of pale red blood-light rippled across its surface to counteract the blow.

At that moment, Song Wanxiong’s voice thundered from within the mountain, though his figure remained hidden.

“Mystic One! Little Sky Net! You allow Ye Guxing to march you to your deaths as cannon fodder? Have you no shame?”

Daoist Lingyin did not pause his attack. “If we wait for you to break through to the Nascent Soul realm via your Blood Refining Technique, we’re dead anyway! Besides, were you not already plotting to eat us?”

Song Wanxiong’s laughter echoed, maniacal and distorted. “Hah! Since you know, then come! Let us see if you can kill me, or if I turn you all into fuel for my strength!”

Outside, the bombardment intensified. The blood-light on the formation grew denser, swirling like a crimson nebula.

Ye Guxing’s eyes grew colder. The killing intent radiating from him was palpable.

The Spirit Beast Sect wasn’t even pretending anymore. They were openly burning vast amounts of essence blood to reinforce the formation. The stench of slaughter began to seep through the barrier.

Inside the Spirit Beast Sect, Forbidden Area.

Song Wanxiong stood naked at the edge of the Cold Pool. His hair was a wild mane of crimson, his eyes glowing like hot coals. Sharp, serrated teeth protruded from his gums. He looked less like a man and more like a feral beast.

“The situation is urgent, Senior Black Spirit Flood Dragon,” Song Wanxiong rasped, diving into the freezing water. “It is time for you to help me.”

Deep within the abyss of the pool, a massive pair of eyes opened. A cold snort vibrated through the water.

“Your schemes have failed, boy. You haven’t reached the Nascent Soul realm, and the wolves are already at the door.”

“Precisely,” Song Wanxiong growled. “It is a moment of life and death for the sect. I ask Senior to lend me a hand to achieve the breakthrough!”

The Black Spirit Flood Dragon let out a long, aged sigh that churned the water.

“With you in this state… even if the sect survives, is this what my old master would have wanted?”

The dragon closed its massive eyes, resigning itself to fate.

“Fine. Eat.”

“It was agreed long ago. Before death, I would give my all to the sect.”

The moment the permission was given, Song Wanxiong lunged. He tore through the water like a torpedo, latching onto the dragon’s massive body. His hands ripped open the pitch-black scales, and he buried his face in the exposed flesh, sucking greedily at the ancient, potent essence blood.

The Cold Pool boiled. The water turned a murky, violent red as the beast’s life force was drained away.

Moments later, a figure exploded out of the water.

Song Wanxiong landed on the shore, his body trembling with overdose. Blood dripped from the corners of his mouth, splashing onto the wet stones. His aura was chaotic, deranged—he had become a true demon.

“Close… so close!”

“Just a little more!”

He stumbled forward, muttering to himself, his eyes scanning for more fuel.

A sect deacon hurried over, his face pale. “Sect Leader, the formation is—”

Whoosh.

Song Wanxiong dissolved into a blur of red shadow. He slammed into the deacon, teeth sinking into the man’s neck before he could finish his sentence.

Gulp. Gulp.

“Still not enough!”

Song Wanxiong threw the drained husk of the corpse aside and marched onward. The hunger was a burning void in his gut.

He passed a small wooden hut. A disciple standing guard bowed respectfully.

Without breaking stride, the blood shadow engulfed him. Another life extinguished. Another burst of essence blood swallowed.

Song Wanxiong wiped his mouth, his head twitching as he looked at the wooden plaque hanging on the hut: Qingwan Residence.

The words meant nothing to him now. The beast in his mind roared, drowning out his literacy, drowning out his reason. He let out a guttural howl and smashed through the door.

Essence blood.

Where is it?

I need to break through!