To kill Shen Xian, Shen Li had secretly arranged for three squads of fiendish cultivators to enter the cave abode. The squad led by the red-robed evil cultivator had already been wiped out, but he had managed to contact the other two squads, and together they lay in ambush within the forest of steles.

Having entered early, they had long since tampered with the steles, intending to construct a formation to trap their targets.

They simply hadn’t expected Ye Qingxian to trigger a reaction from the massive purple-gold stele. Thus, the red-robed cultivator had summoned one of his life-bound magical treasures, planning to seize the opportunity to control her and steal that inheritance secret art.

“Young Master Shen the Third, we meet again.” The red-robed cultivator gave a sinister laugh, the ghostly fire in his bone lantern surging violently. “This time, let’s see where you can run!”

Shen Xian’s expression turned grave as he secretly activated the Void Reflecting Spirit Mirror to observe his surroundings.

He saw eerie crimson patterns emerge on those gray stone steles, connecting with each other to form an invisible barrier around the perimeter of the forest.

“Young Master, be careful!” Shen Tianhao positioned his sword before him, spiritual power churning around his body. “These evil cultivators have set up a trapping formation!”

Before his words faded, over thirty evil cultivators attacked simultaneously.

Crimson light, poisonous mist, and bone spikes descended like a tidal wave. Shen Xian’s guards immediately formed a defensive formation.

For a moment, spiritual light exploded and shockwaves roiled.

Shen Xian feigned panic and fluster, staggering back several steps, his right hand hidden within his sleeve. Secretly, however, he focused his attention on Shen Yunhe and his group.

The evil cultivators’ methods were out in the open. With Shen Tianhao and the others present, along with Ye Qingxian’s capabilities, they were not a serious threat.

But if Shen Yunhe’s group was backed by Second Brother… then vigilance was required at such a moment.

“Protect the Third Young Master!” Shen Tianhao roared. His sword light arced like a rainbow, cutting down three evil cultivators who lunged at him.

But more enemies were already closing in…

The situation around Ye Qingxian was even more critical.

Amidst the coiling black energy, the True Seal of Ten Thousand Beasts between her brows flickered erratically, clearly struggling against that strange Soul-Devouring Gu.

Seeing this, the red-robed cultivator gave a vicious grin and urged his bone lantern onward. The ghostly fire transformed into a giant serpent that shot straight for Ye Qingxian.

At this critical juncture—

Boom!

A golden light suddenly erupted from within Ye Qingxian’s body. The coiling black energy was instantly dispersed. Her eyes snapped open; within them seemed to be the image of ten thousand beasts stampeding.

“You seek death!”

Ye Qingxian’s cold shout rang out. With a light wave of her fair hand, the beast patterns on the purple-gold stele actually materialized. A golden qilin roared forth, tearing the ghostly fire serpent to shreds. Even the cultivator’s life-bound treasure suffered heavy damage.

The red-robed cultivator spat out a mouthful of vital blood essence, his face pale with disbelief. “Impossible! How could you…”

She was clearly an ordinary person. How could she control that True Seal of Ten Thousand Beasts?

There was no time to think. Seizing the opportunity, Shen Tianhao charged forward with his sword, transforming into a streak of light that carried terrifying momentum.

The two sides clashed fiercely in battle.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunhe was also leading his companions in fierce combat against the evil cultivators…

Shen Xian was protected at the center by three guards brought from the family. On Shen Tianhao’s orders, they stayed close by his side without leaving for a moment.

Suddenly…

Shadowy figures shot out from the darkness between the steles like ghosts. Their speed was astonishing; their attacks were cunning and vicious.

Shen Xian’s gaze darkened.

Another assassination attempt!

“Young Master, be careful!” The three guards shouted in unison and immediately formed a defensive array before him.

However…

Two more assassins struck simultaneously from hidden positions on both flanks, bypassing the three guards’ formation.

From the left assassin’s sleeve came a flash of cold light—three Spirit-Extinguishing Needles shot toward Shen Xian’s dantian in a triangular formation.

This type of hidden weapon specifically countered a cultivator’s spiritual power circulation. If struck, even if one didn’t die outright, their cultivation would be completely crippled.

Boom—

The dragon-shaped jade pendant at Shen Xian’s waist suddenly activated. Acting automatically to protect its master, it transformed into a cyan light screen that deflected all three needles.

But it seemed their opponents were prepared for this. The assassin followed up with several palm strikes; each blow caused the protective light from the heart-protecting jade’s formation to dim slightly.

A chill ran through Shen Xian’s heart.

These methods… they were exactly like those used back at the Ye Family.

It was Shen Li!

The name immediately surfaced in his mind.

Not only had he secretly allowed evil cultivators into the cave abode… he had even arranged assassins…

What ruthless methods!

Anger began to rise within Shen Xian. He raised his left arm and threw three black orbs.

Bang! Bang! Bang!—

The orbs exploded mid-air with thunderous force. The blast wave sent that Foundation Establishment realm assassin flying on the spot.

Shen Yunhe’s eyes flashed with sharp light as he fought nearby enemies.

Heavenheart Thunder!

Seeing this, the other assassin refused to be outdone. As his dagger spun in his hand, it gathered terrifying spiritual power; his entire body erupted with blazing radiance.

“A piece of trash! Let’s see what other tricks you have!” he roared angrily. He hurled his dagger while simultaneously slapping out a blazing talisman.

Boom—

Flames scorched the air as the dagger shot forth like lightning.

Shen Xian feigned panic and hastily retreated backward. The talisman he pulled out in haste couldn’t be activated at all due to insufficient spiritual energy; he looked utterly disheveled and desperate.

Just as their opponent’s attack was about to land…

“Young Master Third! I’ll save you!”

Shen Yunhe moved like lightning. His longsword trailed seven afterimages—it was actually the secret Shen Family technique: Big Dipper Evil-Slaying Sword Art!

Wherever his sword light passed, terrifying power erupted, instantly shattering their opponent’s assault.

He raised his blade and brought it down cleanly, leaving a thin crimson line across that assassin’s neck, ending him completely.

Seeing all was lost, the remaining assassin tried to flee.

Shen Yunhe leaped into action. His peak Foundation Establishment realm cultivation erupted explosively. His sword light transformed into a dragon, tearing through the air and piercing through their opponent’s skull in an instant…

All three assassins were dead.

Shen Tianhao, who was locked in fierce combat with the red-robed cultivator, let out a sigh of relief. His attacks became even swifter and fiercer, even revealing a trump card as he pressed his opponent back step by step.

“Young Master Third must have been frightened.”

Shen Yunhe sheathed his sword and turned around, his face still wearing a concerned expression.

Just as he stood a mere three steps away from Shen Xian, a sudden change occurred!

The corpse of the assassin, who should have been dead, suddenly exploded, transforming into a sky full of bloody mist.

From the bloody mist flew nine crimson chains, instantly entangling the limbs of the three guards and rushing straight toward Shen Xian.

Seizing the opportunity, Shen Yunhe thrust forward a hidden sleeve sword, its tip glowing an eerie pale gray…

This was Soul-Scattering Sand, specifically targeted at the spirit soul. Even the slightest scratch would cause the soul to scatter and vanish!

Coldness settled in Shen Xian’s heart.

So, there really was a problem.

Hidden within his sleeve, his right hand suddenly flipped over. Three poison needles, shimmering with a faint blue cold gleam, were now held between his fingers.

They were exactly the Soul-Eroding Needles seized earlier when he wiped out the evil cultivators.

Thwip!

The poison needles pierced precisely into the weakest points of the crimson chains. The chains shuddered violently as if struck by lightning.

Seizing the chance, Shen Xian sidestepped. The pale gray sword edge brushed past the corner of his robe, leaving a horrifying scorched mark upon the bluestone ground.

Shen Yunhe’s eyebrow rose slightly, rather surprised.

He hadn’t expected this trash to still have a trump card.

But… everything ends now!

His Foundation Establishment realm cultivation erupted explosively. Immense power enveloped the area, restricting Shen Xian’s position as he struck again…

“Young Master Third!” Shen Tianhao completely hadn’t anticipated things turning out like this. His face pale with panic, he shouted, trying to rush to support, but the red-robed cultivator blocked his path.

“Your opponent is me!” The red-robed cultivator, who had been pressed back, sneered coldly, attacking again.

Within the area, the other guards could no longer offer rescue. The situation was critical.

Shen Yunhe’s figure flashed, and his spirit sword thrust forth with unstoppable force.

Shen Xian’s gaze darkened slightly. Spiritual power surged within his body as he decided to take action personally…