"What? You aren't convinced? Then you are perfectly welcome to chase after them and snatch the Profound Elixir back—if you have the guts!" Ying Bokong smirked with schadenfreude. "Oh, and perhaps Honorable Shi will run into the Boss again, sparking a legendary, tear-jerking romance for the annals of history!"

The mention of the word "Boss" instantly tightened Shi Changxiao’s entire frame. He wheeled around in a burst of fury and roared, "Shut your damn eagle beak! Will you choke to death if you say a few less words?!"

One must remember that Shi Changxiao was a grandmaster of Profound Arts and one of the Eight Supremes; he always valued composure. No one would have imagined such an abrupt outburst of coarse language, and directed at another Supreme no less! This single curse made everyone turn their heads. Was the truce about to shatter, igniting the conflict anew?!

Against everyone’s expectation, the conflict did not resume!

Had this been moments earlier, Shi Changxiao’s words would surely have provoked a fierce reaction from Ying Bokong, leading to a cataclysmic brawl between the two. But this time, the reaction was completely anomalous. Ying Bokong, far from being angered, burst into hearty laughter—a truly unrestrained bout of mirth.

The remaining onlookers stood rooted, each lost in thought, though no one appeared particularly dejected. In fact, some even seemed to relish the misfortune: If even members of the Eight Supremes could stumble, what was there to be ashamed of for themselves? They wouldn't be humiliated!

Meanwhile, the ten disciples of the other Supreme, led by Lei Jianhong, were huddled beneath a large tree. They sought both shelter from the rain and a temporary respite from the spotlight. Six of the ten were injured, blood staining their robes, with the Sixth Brother grievously wounded and still unconscious.

“The Profound Elixir is gone just like that. How should we account for this? Junior Brother Li will surely be very disappointed,” Lei Jianhong sighed. “Who could have imagined that our combined might, poured out entirely, would prove utterly useless in this pursuit.”

“There is nothing to be done, no one could have foreseen two Supremes arriving simultaneously. Unless Master himself intervened, there was absolutely no way to alter this outcome. Eldest Brother should not take it too much to heart,” the young matron behind him stated slowly.

“Besides,” she continued, clearly lowering her voice, “the final result ended up duping even the two Supremes and the Wind and Snow Silver City. What hope did we have?”

“But Sixth Brother is in this state now... Junior Brother Li was counting on him to monitor Jun Moxie’s movements. What are we to do now?” Lei Jianhong frowned, looking at his unconscious junior brother with deep distress clouding his features.

“We must simply let Junior Brother Li find someone more capable. The Grand Tutor’s Estate is filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers; finding someone else shouldn’t be difficult,” the woman said. “If we truly cannot find a suitable candidate, then I will take responsibility.”

“It seems that will have to be the way,” Lei Jianhong sighed, his brow furrowed tightly. “Honestly, what interests me most is knowing who those two people who ended up with the Profound Elixir were. How could they be so powerful? In the current world, I believe there are only a handful of individuals with such cultivation levels, yet we have never heard of them! Even stranger, Ying Bokong and Shi Changxiao did not seem to be at a disadvantage, so why did neither show any intent to pursue? It’s somewhat understandable that Ying Bokong wouldn’t chase, as he wasn't focused on the Elixir to begin with, but Shi Changxiao’s lack of pursuit is baffling, especially since he fought so fiercely if he didn't truly desire it.”

“Senior Brother speaks truly. I believe the strength of those two, even if slightly less than Ying Bokong and Shi Changxiao, must place them at the level of Divine Profound experts. For such masters, even if we don't know them personally, it seems impossible that we have never even heard their names! Their origins truly defy imagination!”

The woman knitted her delicate brows thoughtfully. “However, what truly concerns me is why Shi Changxiao seems so wary of these two, or if there is someone backing them whom even Shi Changxiao dares not provoke.”

“Are there truly people in this world that even the Eight Supremes are afraid to offend?” Lei Jianhong frowned.

His fellow disciples present could not answer this question he posed.

But what he said had already caught the attention of Jun Moxie, who was hidden nearby. Upon hearing that they were fellow disciples of Li Youran of the Grand Tutor’s Estate, Young Master Jun’s fingers had already begun to twitch with eagerness. Hearing that Li Youran had actually ordered them to monitor him only caused a surge of murderous intent to flow through the great assassin.

The rain finally began to ease slightly.

“State Preceptor Shi, Divine Eagle, Silver City has caused offense today. Should fate allow us to meet again, my three brothers and I shall certainly prepare fine tea to offer our apologies!” The Third Elder stepped forward and called out loudly. “If the two Supremes have no further commands, my three brothers and I shall take our leave.”

As he spoke, distant figures swayed, and several teams were already withdrawing; these were clearly members of the major aristocratic families in the city, with even some military involvement. These people were all latecomers who had remained hidden, waiting. Seeing that the Profound Elixir was utterly lost, having been drenched by the rain all night for nothing, they were now packing up to go home.

Shi Changxiao stood with his hands clasped behind his back, not sparing a glance for those departing. He said calmly, “Man looks out for himself, and heaven destroys the selfish. Elders, there is no need for concern. I have heard that Silver City’s Xueming is a peerless tea; perhaps I shall have to impose upon you for a cup someday.”

The three laughed lightly, soared into the air, joined the other four, and slowly departed.

A long cry rang out—it was Ying Bokong, soaring away like a divine eagle, leaving without a word of farewell. In moments, he was only a tiny black speck in the distance, his voice echoing back: “Fengxue Silver City’s… just offering an entire cup of tea to fool Old Fifth? I’m very unhappy! Also tell Han Zhu: Old Fifth will come looking for him! And the disciples of Lei Wubei, I’ll be waiting for Lei Wubei to come find trouble with me whenever he wishes!”

His voice was still hanging in the air as his figure vanished.

“Old Eagle, keep an ear out for news from that side,” Shi Changxiao transmitted urgently, though he received no reply, unsure if Ying Bokong had heard.

Fei Mengchen chuckled softly and waved his hand, departing with an air of ease. He had traveled a thousand miles from the Yu Tang Empire to Tianxiang, and one of his primary objectives was this Profound Elixir. Now that it was gone, he seemed utterly unconcerned, leaving with such nonchalance; indeed, he lived up to his reputation as a sage.

Seeing that the crowds on the periphery had vanished without a trace, Shi Changxiao looked up at the sky and sighed heavily. He thought: If the people from that place truly made a move, I might have to seek out Yun Biechen and Li Juetian to discuss countermeasures. The more he thought, the more vexed and anxious he became. Recalling the Profound Elixir, which had been almost within reach only to be lost again, left him with a profound sense of emptiness.

“Sect Master,” a Heavenly Profound expert stood respectfully before Shi Changxiao.

“You should return to Shenci ahead of me; you are no longer needed here. I still have a matter to attend to personally and will return later,” Shi Changxiao murmured after pondering for a long time.

“Yes.” The six men accepted the command solemnly. Then, four of them helped the other two injured men, cast a fierce glance at Lei Wubei’s ten disciples, bowed to Shi Changxiao, and disappeared into the heavy curtain of rain.

Shi Changxiao paced slowly in the clearing, hands behind his back. His slender figure moved alone in the downpour, looking strangely desolate and helpless.

Suddenly, he sighed softly, flicked his wrist, and a streak of white light shot from his sleeve, landing precisely in Lei Jianhong’s hand. Shi Changxiao’s silhouette flashed—the first movement carried him ten zhang away, the next blurred his form entirely, and then he vanished.

Lei Jianhong focused his gaze and saw a small jade bottle in his hand inscribed with the words: Soul-Returning Elixir! He was overjoyed. Just as he was about to call out his thanks, Shi Changxiao was already gone.

This “Soul-Returning Elixir” was Shi Changxiao’s uniquely concocted medicinal balm. While it might not literally bring the dead back to life, it was truly a supreme remedy for severe injuries. Unmatched under heaven, with this secret medicine, the Sixth Brother’s damaged Dantian meant permanent disablement was inevitable, but this medicine could reliably save his life!

Having received the divine cure, Lei Jianhong hurriedly called his junior brothers. The few of them carefully lifted their unconscious Sixth Brother, but just as they were about to open the jade bottle, a warning sharp fear pierced Lei Jianhong’s heart. As the leading disciple of Lei Wubei, he instinctively recoiled with all his strength, narrowly dodging a fatal strike.

Several screams rang out simultaneously!

The four people gathered together collapsed forward, blood oozing from their mouths and noses, utterly silent.

Embedded deeply in the back of each of their hearts was a small, exquisitely crafted throwing knife, with only the hilt remaining outside. By the look of it, the blade had pierced straight into the heart!

One strike to take life, one strike to seal fate!

No wonder the four died instantly without a sound!

Three Earth Profound disciples and one early-stage Heavenly Profound disciple, all perished at once!

“Junior Brother!!” Lei Jianhong reached out to check their breathing. His body instantly stiffened, and then he leaped up madly, his eyes splitting with rage. “Who? Who was it? Show yourself! What kind of bastard hides in the shadows and uses sneak attacks? If you have the guts, come out and fight me one-on-one! Come out! Come out! Come out!”

Lei Jianhong roared his curses in all directions, his eyes turning bloodshot! His sanity was almost completely gone. He ran wildly everywhere, searching, but saw no one. After a long while, he suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground, bursting into loud sobs!

The other four, shocked by the sudden calamity, were equally aghast. They rushed over, weeping loudly, tearing at their hair and clothes.

The five of them carefully searched the area again but found no trace of any enemy. They could not have imagined that their ten siblings, who had faced multiple Heavenly Profound masters and even intervened in a battle between Divine Profound experts, only suffered one serious injury, yet now, caught off guard after the main fight, they had suddenly lost four members!

Lei Jianhong, his eyes red, pulled the throwing knife from the Ninth Junior Brother’s body and scrutinized it closely, gritting his teeth. “I have never seen this type of throwing knife before. It must be the unique weapon of the assassin! If we see this knife again, kill without question, and avenge our brothers!!”

“If this grudge is not avenged, I swear I am not human!” the four shouted in unison, their grief and indignation immeasurable.

Suddenly, the young woman shrieked, “Where are the other three throwing knives?” Everyone turned at once and froze, staring blankly at each other. The cold rain, now that they had lowered their Profound Qi defenses, mercilessly soaked their necks. The group felt a chilling sensation rising from the very depths of their souls!

In that brief instant, the throwing knives in the other three bodies had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a blood-soaked gash!

The remaining members stared at each other, their hearts seized by horror.

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