To ensure Shen Xian’s death this time, Shen Li had secretly dispatched three teams of demonic cultivators into the cave abode. The red-robed team had already been wiped out, but Shen Li had successfully contacted the other two squads, who now lay in ambush within the stone forest.

They had entered earlier to tamper with the stone tablets, preparing to activate a restrictive formation to trap their prey.

However, they never anticipated that Ye Qingxian could trigger a reaction from the giant golden tablet. In his greed, the red-robed demonic cultivator had unleashed one of his personal treasures, hoping to seize control of her and steal her inherited secret technique.

“Third Young Master Shen, we meet again,” the red-robed cultivator sneered, the ghostly flames of his white bone lamp flaring. “Let’s see you escape this time!”

Shen Xian’s expression turned grim. He discreetly activated the Void Reflecting Spirit Mirror, scanning his surroundings.

He saw eerie, blood-red runes materializing on the gray stone tablets, linking together to form an invisible barrier that sealed the stone forest.

“Young Master, be careful!” Shen Tianhao yelled, stepping forward with his sword held ready. Spiritual energy erupted from his body. “These demonic cultivators have set up a containment array!”

Before his voice faded, over thirty demonic cultivators attacked in unison.

Crimson light, toxic mist, and bone spikes rained down from all sides, forcing Shen Xian’s guards to immediately form a defensive perimeter.

For a moment, spiritual light exploded in a blinding cacophony, and violent waves of energy ripped through the air.

Shen Xian feigned panic, stumbling back a few steps. He kept his right hand hidden deep within his sleeve, his true focus fixed on Shen Yunhe and the others.

The demonic cultivators’ plan was transparent. With Shen Tianhao and Ye Qingxian here, they posed no real threat.

But if his Second Brother was the one pulling Shen Yunhe’s strings, then he had to be cautious.

“Protect the Young Master!” Shen Tianhao roared, his sword light flashing like a rainbow as it cleaved three charging cultivators in two.

Yet even more demonic cultivators swarmed in to take their place…

Meanwhile, Ye Qingxian was in even greater peril.

Swirls of black miasma surrounded her. The True Seal of Ten Thousand Beasts on her brow flickered weakly, clearly struggling against the insidious Soul-Eating Worms.

Seeing this, the red-robed cultivator grinned wickedly. He activated his white bone lamp, transforming the ghostly flames into a massive python that lunged at Ye Qingxian.

At that critical moment—

Boom!

A brilliant golden light erupted from Ye Qingxian, instantly shattering the surrounding black miasma. Her eyes flew open, the reflection of ten thousand beasts stampeding within her pupils.

“You seek death!”

Ye Qingxian’s voice was like ice. With a gentle sweep of her delicate hand, the beast sigils on the giant golden tablet materialized into a physical form—a golden Qilin. It roared, tore the ghostly python to shreds, and shattered the white bone lamp.

The red-robed cultivator coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face a mask of pale disbelief. “Impossible! How could you…?!”

She was supposed to be a mere mortal! How could she possibly wield the True Seal of Ten Thousand Beasts?

Before he could process the shock, Shen Tianhao seized the opening. He charged forward, transforming into a streak of light and unleashing terrifying power with his sword.

The two sides clashed ferociously.

At the same time, Shen Yunhe and his companions were also locked in a fierce battle with the demonic cultivators…

Shen Xian remained protected at the center, surrounded by three guards from the clan. Shen Tianhao had ordered them not to leave his side no matter what.

Suddenly…

Dark figures shot out from the shadows of the stone forest like phantoms, their movements impossibly fast as they launched a vicious, surprise attack.

Shen Xian’s eyes went cold.

Another assassination.

“Young Master, watch out!” the three guards shouted, immediately moving to intercept the attack.

However…

Two more assassins struck from the shadows, flanking him and bypassing the guards’ defensive formation entirely.

On the left, a chilling glint flashed from an assassin’s sleeve. Three Spirit-Shattering Needles shot out in a triangular pattern, aimed straight for Shen Xian’s dantian.

This hidden weapon was designed to annihilate a cultivator’s spiritual core. A direct hit wouldn’t just kill; it would obliterate one’s cultivation entirely.

Boom!

The dragon-shaped jade pendant at Shen Xian’s waist flared to life, automatically forming a cyan light shield to protect its master. It deflected all three Spirit-Shattering Needles.

But the assassin seemed to have anticipated this. He followed up with a flurry of palm strikes, each blow dimming the jade’s protective glow.

A chill ran down Shen Xian’s spine. The tactics were identical to the attack at the Ye Estate.

Shen Li.

The name flashed through his mind.

He not only let demonic cultivators into the cave abode, but he also hired assassins… How ruthless.

Rage simmered within him. Shen Xian raised his left arm and threw three black beads.

Bang, bang, bang!

The beads detonated in mid-air with a concussive blast, sending the Foundation Establishment assassin flying.

Shen Yunhe, seemingly busy fending off enemies, had a sharp glint in his eyes.

Heavenly Heart Thunder!

The other assassin, not to be outdone, spun his dagger, summoning a terrifying amount of spiritual energy as his entire body blazed with scorching light.

“Useless trash! Let’s see what other tricks you have!” he roared, hurling his dagger and slapping a fiery talisman into the air.

Boom!

Flames seared the air as the dagger shot forward.

Shen Xian put on a show of panic, retreating haphazardly. The talisman he brandished was intentionally underpowered, fizzling out uselessly and leaving him looking completely disheveled.

Just as the attack was about to connect…

“Young Master, I’ll save you!” Shen Yunhe’s voice rang out as he moved like a bolt of lightning. His longsword left seven afterimages in its wake—the Shen Clan’s secret art, the Northern Dipper Exorcism Sword Technique.

Wherever the sword light passed, it unleashed terrifying power, instantly shattering the assassin’s attack.

A single, swift slash opened a bloody gash on the assassin’s neck, killing him on the spot.

Seeing his partner fall, the other assassin tried to flee.

Shen Yunhe leaped into the air, the full power of his peak Foundation Establishment cultivation on display. His sword light moved like a dragon, tearing through the air and piercing the assassin’s skull in the blink of an eye…

All three assassins were dead.

Shen Tianhao, who was still battling the red-robed cultivator, breathed a sigh of relief. His own attacks grew even fiercer as he unleashed his ultimate technique, forcing his opponent back step by step.

“Young Master, are you alright? You must have been terrified.”

Shen Yunhe sheathed his sword and turned, his face a perfect mask of concern.

But just as he closed to within three steps of Shen Xian, the situation took a shocking turn!

The assassin’s corpse—supposedly lifeless—suddenly exploded into a cloud of blood mist.

From within the mist, nine blood-red chains shot out, instantly ensnaring the limbs of the three guards before lashing toward Shen Xian.

Seizing the opening, Shen Yunhe lunged, thrusting a hidden blade whose tip glowed with an eerie, grayish-white light…

This was Soul-Annihilating Sand, a poison that targeted the soul itself. A mere scratch would cause one’s soul to dissipate into nothingness!

Shen Xian’s blood ran cold.

So this was his real move.

His right hand, still hidden in his sleeve, flipped. In his palm were three poison needles, glowing with a faint blue light—spoils he’d taken from the demonic cultivators he’d suppressed earlier.

Pfft!

The needles struck the weakest links in the blood chains with pinpoint accuracy. The chains shuddered violently as if struck by lightning.

Shen Xian used that split second to dodge sideways. The grayish-white blade grazed his robes, striking the ground and leaving a sizzling, charred scar on the cyan stone floor.

Shen Yunhe’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

Who knew this trash had another trick up his sleeve?

But… it was over now.

The full might of his Foundation Establishment cultivation erupted, its immense pressure blanketing the battlefield and pinning Shen Xian in place. He prepared to deliver the final blow…

“Young Master!” Shen Tianhao roared in panic, never imagining such a betrayal. He tried to rush to the rescue, but the red-robed cultivator blocked his path.

“Your fight is with me!” the red-robed cultivator sneered, pressing his attack once more despite being on the back foot.

Amid the chaos, the other guards were completely unable to help. The situation had become critical.

Shen Yunhe’s figure flashed, his spiritual sword thrusting forward with unstoppable force.

Shen Xian’s eyes narrowed. His spiritual energy began to churn. It was time to act.