The Blue-robed cultivator swept a smug glance across the battlefield. He had only employed a minor binding technique, yet the small combat zone spanning several hundred zhang within the swamp was already under his control. The nine Azure Pill realm cultivators were utterly suppressed, their destruction merely a matter of a single breath away.

However, he suddenly frowned with displeasure.

He noticed one young Azure Pill cultivator, even while fiercely battling a Spirit Spring Gate cultivator, found the leisure to occasionally cast a cold, challenging gaze his way—a clear sign of provocation. This individual seemed entirely unaffected by the Slowing effect of the small Water Dragons and moved with disconcerting ease.

A surge of anger immediately flared within the Blue-robed cultivator; he could not tolerate being challenged by anyone. To face impending death without begging for mercy, and yet dare to look at him with such contempt—it was simply courting death.

Without a second thought, he waved his pale right hand in the air—several nearby small Water Dragons lunged toward the young cultivator.

That young cultivator was precisely Ye Qin.

Ye Qin fixed his gaze on the Blue-robed cultivator, pondering his strategy. It was too late to slay five Spirit Spring Gate cultivators to reverse the situation; before that could happen, his Azure Pill comrades would likely collapse. He made a decision in the shortest time possible: unless he could directly defeat this Blue-robed cultivator, turning the tide was impossible. He could flee, but the lives of his eight Azure Pill Foundation Establishment comrades rested entirely in the Blue-robed cultivator’s hands.

Coincidentally, the Blue-robed cultivator was currently controlling several small Water Dragons heading straight for him.

Ye Qin decisively abandoned the Spirit Spring Gate cultivator he was currently engaged with, yielding that opponent to another Azure Pill comrade to handle. Then, he turned and charged directly at the Blue-robed cultivator. Since he was unhindered by the slowing effect, his movement speed was extreme under full exertion, transforming into a phantom-like specter, rapidly closing the distance to the Blue-robed cultivator. Within a few breaths, he would be within twenty to thirty zhang of him.

“Young Sect Master, be careful! This person possesses a bell-shaped magic tool that can instantly strip away fighting ability; it is extremely potent. Absolutely do not allow him within thirty zhang!” Elder Di, seeing the strongest cultivator among the Azure Pills rushing toward the Young Sect Master, was instantly alarmed and cried out a warning.

His small team had already suffered greatly from Ye Qin’s bell artifact and remained deeply wary and haunted by the memory. If this person managed to approach the Young Sect Master, Elder Di was not confident his master could withstand the assault.

Elder Di, anxious for the Young Sect Master’s safety, could not afford to focus on attacking the other Azure Pill cultivators. He hurriedly cast a spell, the Spirit Snake Staff technique, transforming his staff into a ghostly green spirit snake over ten zhang long. This snake hissed, flashing two ghastly green fangs, and aggressively rammed toward Ye Qin, attempting to intercept him.

Ye Qin had already resolved to kill the Blue-robed cultivator with a single blow; his goal was absolute. At this critical juncture, how could he allow anyone to obstruct him? He glimpsed the incoming green spirit snake, and his eyes sharpened—he opened his mouth, spitting out a sharp, chilling gleam.

The Southern Bright Immortal Fire Sword materialized, transforming into a colossal sword blazing with raging flames, slicing down lightning-fast and brutally across the spirit snake’s forehead.

Splat!

Green ichor sprayed. How razor-sharp was the Southern Bright Immortal Fire Sword? Could a common magic tool possibly resist it?

The spirit snake immediately let out a mournful shriek and swiftly retracted, condensing back into a Spirit Snake Staff that clattered into Elder Di’s hand. Elder Di saw a deep gash several cun wide marring the staff and felt an agonizing ache. This staff had been his mid-tier magic tool for decades—and now it was damaged!

However, Elder Di could not afford to dwell on that now. He had to guarantee the Young Sect Master’s absolute safety; otherwise, the wrath of the Spirit Spring Ancestor would see all the Spirit Spring cultivators who followed the Young Sect Master buried with him. He dared not take that risk.

“Quickly stop him! Don’t let him get near the Young Sect Master, quickly!”

Elder Di watched Ye Qin drawing closer and closer to the Blue-robed cultivator, panic blooming on his face, and shouted loudly to the surrounding Spirit Spring cultivators. He leaped forward, placing himself between Ye Qin and his master, simultaneously summoning another artifact in haste, trying to stop Ye Qin’s advance.

Ye Qin cursed inwardly, wishing he could cleave Elder Di in two with one sword stroke right now.

Unfortunately, that momentary delay allowed several Spirit Spring cultivators to turn back, fearfully hurling magic tools at him. Besieged by several artifacts, he was unable to break free to strike at Elder Di.

The Southern Bright Immortal Fire Sword hovered upright in the air before him, erupting with bursts of azure flames. These flames materialized into legions of blazing Fire Crows, warding off the attacking magic tools. This Primordial Spirit Artifact was overwhelmingly fierce; the Spirit Spring Gate cultivators dared not easily match their own tools against it.

Soon, within dozens of zhang surrounding Ye Qin, there were no more small Water Dragons present.

Ye Qin’s charge toward the Young Sect Master, coupled with that single sword strike that caused Elder Di’s expression to drastically change, brought immense joy to the Azure Pill cultivators. Several rushing Spirit Spring cultivators hurriedly turned back to aid their comrades; the pressure on them instantly eased, and they quickly gathered together, offering mutual support. The crisis of defeat was temporarily averted, and the situation stabilized once more.

“A Primordial Spirit Artifact!? It seems the Misty Spirit Realm has quite a few experts. Only at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment, yet possessing such a supreme-grade fire-elemental Primordial Spirit Artifact...”

The Blue-robed cultivator’s eyes lit up with a trace of surprise as he watched the flying sword shoot from Ye Qin’s mouth.

He tilted his head, considered for a moment, and then asked with genuine astonishment, “However, this should be the Southern Bright Immortal Fire Sword, one of the five great sect-guarding Primordial Spirit Artifacts of the Ancient Artifact Sect! How could it be in the hands of a cultivator from the Azure Pill Sect? Perhaps you have some extremely deep connection with one of the Ancient Artifact Sect’s ancestors? Are you a direct descendant of some venerable master? It is a pity, though; your sword can only emit azure flames—the fire power is too weak. If it could release the Samadhi True Fire, who in this Cold Lake Forest could withstand a single strike from you?! Haha, what a shame, what a pity. The might of this sword is ultimately lacking. Your strength alone is sufficient to sweep aside every cultivator present. But you have bad luck today, meeting me.”

The Blue-robed cultivator gripped the Water Shell Spirit Orb with considerable self-satisfaction. He was quite capable...