He Yi-ming turned and left instantly. His speed was lightning-fast, and in a flash, he was outside the range of the other person’s aura. Even if that person tried to pursue him using their senses, it would be utterly impossible.

This entire feat was only possible because He Yi-ming’s performance just moments before had been utterly convincing.

That display of going all out, seemingly exerting every ounce of strength to achieve a mutually destructive outcome, had completely deceived the masked monster.

He Yi-ming had learned this particular trick from Suo Ge, and utilizing his unique physique—the characteristic of effortlessly switching between rigidity and softness—he had brought this deception to its absolute peak.

His figure vanished quickly into the jungle. Suddenly, he sensed something ahead. He Yi-ming fixed his gaze and let out a gasp of immense joy.

Not far in front of him, Bai Ling-Ba stood silently waiting.

The two exchanged a look, instantly understanding each other’s intentions without a word.

He Yi-ming extended his arm. The moment his limb stretched out, Bai Ling-Ba began to transform. His body suddenly elongated and thinned, reshaping into a towering Guandao (great saber) planted firmly on the ground.

The instant He Yi-ming’s fingers brushed against Bai Ling-Ba, the great saber’s transformation was complete, perfectly timed.

There was no conversation between them; a single glance was enough for such flawless coordination.

With the Guandao in hand, an unparalleled, surging battle intent and an unbelievably powerful sense of confidence flooded He Yi-ming’s heart.

The strength of this self-assurance was so great that even he couldn’t fully comprehend it. Yet, this peak state of inflated confidence was enough to ensure he would never be at a disadvantage against anyone.

He spun around abruptly, his massive aura soaring towards the heavens, spreading far out across the dark jungle.

For any nearby innate experts, such a tremendous presence shone like a million-watt lightbulb. Even if that innate expert were blind, they could clearly sense He Yi-ming’s existence and feel the fearless power and fighting will emanating from him.

He Yi-ming’s eyes glowed faintly. Carrying the Guandao, he began walking back the way he came, step by measured step.

With every stride, his aura seemed to grow stronger. An intensity that felt as if it had already reached its peak, incapable of climbing higher, was now repeatedly shattering its own limits, reaching even greater heights.

At this moment, He Yi-ming had entered a state from which he could not retreat, a realm whose ultimate limits even he himself could not foresee.

Under these circumstances, even if the masked monster were a true super-expert who had achieved the Three Flowers Confluence (San Hua Ju Ding), He Yi-ming would not harbor the slightest sense of awe; he possessed the courage and battle drive to engage him head-on.

He Yi-ming walked faster and faster, his complexion flushing with a vibrant, almost dripping red light…

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That masked monster had not succeeded in reaching the confluence; his Three Flowers had not merged with the power of heaven and earth, meaning he certainly lacked the earth-burrowing ability possessed by super-spirit beasts like the Red Wolf King or the Stone Serpent King.

However, he was, after all, a top-tier master who had already condensed three tangible flowers.

After He Yi-ming departed, the monster was filled with deep frustration. To have let such a perfect opportunity slip by without ending his foe was truly beyond expectation.

Nevertheless, this battle had revealed He Yi-ming’s trump card: the sheer might of his ice-elemental abilities was so powerful that even the monster’s super-treasure, the Five Elements Ring, had been shattered when caught unprepared.

With a deep sigh, the masked monster lowered his stance. He knew the night’s battle was effectively over. Even if they fought again, it was unlikely he could still threaten He Yi-ming’s life.

But the very moment he completely relaxed, an incredibly powerful aura surged up nearby, one that caused even him to tremble slightly.

Contained within this aura was an intensely chilling killing intent. He recognized it immediately: this murderous intent was aimed squarely at him. Though they were separated by a distance, the intent felt as if it pierced through the gap, locking onto him firmly.

The hairs on the masked monster’s body instantly stood on end. His mind whirled in astonishment; he couldn't fathom what miraculous change had occurred within He Yi-ming to grant him such a sudden, earth-shattering transformation.

A man who fled a battle should have his momentum plummet to its lowest point. Yet, after simply turning his back, his aura erupted like a mountain flood, achieving an unbelievable magnitude.

Such a miraculous reversal was unheard of, even with the masked monster’s vast experience.

He hesitated, and deep within his heart, a distinct urge to turn and flee abruptly surfaced. However, in the next moment, he forcefully suppressed that feeling.

Given his current cultivation level, to feel fearful and flee before even engaging would inflict an unparalleled blow upon himself. Even if he escaped successfully, it would fatally impact his future path toward the Three Flowers Confluence.

After all, his opponent was not a super-expert who had successfully achieved the confluence, but merely an expert hovering near the threshold who hadn't fully condensed the Three Flowers.

To flee from such an enemy without a fight would undoubtedly leave an indelible negative mark on his spirit.

In an instant, he made his decision: since He Yi-ming was mad enough to seek a fight to the death, he would naturally accompany him to the very end.

The major tendons in his arm bulged, and the power he channeled into the Five Elements Ring intensified.

Vast true qi flowed through his arm into the Five Elements Ring, and the strange circle began to spin violently and rapidly once more.

An equally immense aura erupted from his body. This aura met the oncoming charge of He Yi-ming head-on, the two forces clashing like red-eyed bulls, neither willing to yield an inch.

Then, the masked monster saw it: a figure rushing toward him, trailing a streak of dazzling white light.

It streaked across the air from the distance, leaving a brilliant white scar, descending as if a demon god from the Ninth Heaven, wielding a colossal and terrifying weapon, slamming down upon him with the crushing force of Mount Tai.

Such momentum, such ferocity, such absolute dominance…

In that moment, the only thought in the masked monster’s mind was: How did this person achieve this? Is he even human?

“Clang…”

A massive impact exploded suddenly in the jungle—the sound made by two peerless weapons meeting in a head-on collision.

He Yi-ming’s Guandao, even in the dead of night, blazed with light. He looked like a vibrant, energetic youth, or perhaps a rising sun, radiating boundless light and heat.

The masked monster’s martial cultivation was in no way inferior to He Yi-ming’s, and having already condensed the three Five Elements Flowers, his total reserve of true qi was actually superior, despite not having achieved full confluence.

But at this moment, even after channeling his entire strength and pouring all his learning into the Five Elements Ring, he was horrified to discover:

Under that single slash from He Yi-ming…

He couldn't block it!

Following that deafening roar that seemed to echo through heaven and earth, the masked monster’s body shot backward like a broken kite.

In his trajectory of retreat, there were over ten enormous, ancient trees that must have stood for countless years.

But upon impact with the monster’s back, they instantly exploded, as if struck by a full blast of true qi from a powerful innate expert, shattering the colossal trees into splinters of wood.

When the masked monster finally crashed to the ground, the entire jungle fell silent, utterly still. Even the chirping of insects and birds ceased.

Everything seemed insignificant compared to the violence of that single collision.

This clash was not just between two powerful experts; it was a collision between youthful vigor and fading twilight, a clash fought by those who had abandoned everything, filled with confidence and nervous uncertainty.

Before they even engaged, the outcome of this confrontation had essentially been predetermined.

He Yi-ming drew his great saber behind him, throwing his head back in a booming laugh. “Satisfying! Truly satisfying! Tell me, how did that blow taste, esteemed opponent?”

The moment the masked monster’s body made contact with the ground, he bounced up as if propelled by springs. However, while still mid-air, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Struck by He Yi-ming’s blow, imbued with unimaginable momentum, he was slightly injured. Though the injury wasn't severe, it dealt a serious blow to his self-confidence.

Hearing He Yi-ming’s loud laughter, his emotions surged, and he nearly vomited a second mouthful of blood.

His gaze shifted, landing on the Guandao in He Yi-ming’s hand. His eyes narrowed, and he asked hoarsely, “Where did you acquire your great saber?”

He was already very familiar with He Yi-ming’s background and history, and he understood the significance of that weapon to him.

But during the recent period when he had shadowed He Yi-ming and his companions' carriage, he had never seen the great saber, assuming it had been lost or destroyed during the battle with the Totem Clan.

Yet, he never could have imagined that after He Yi-ming lost his weapon and turned to flee, he would immediately return with a counter-attack within mere seconds.

And now, the great saber, which had seemingly vanished, had reappeared inexplicably in his hands.

The sudden reversal of fortune left him so frustrated that he almost vomited blood.

He Yi-ming chuckled, “My great saber? It’s been hidden right here all along.”

The masked monster paused, “Impossible.”

Although he had long resolved to lure He Yi-ming away from the He Family Village, even he hadn't anticipated fighting He Yi-ming here. Unless He Yi-ming possessed clairvoyant abilities, how could he have hidden his great saber in this exact location?

He Yi-ming straightened his chest, his eyes wide open. He snorted angrily, “If the great saber wasn't here, why would I stop you here? Given my Wind-elemental techniques, is it not strange that I chased you all the way to this remote location? Hmph, if the great saber wasn’t here, why would I have turned and fled just now? Can you not even figure that out?”

The masked monster was left speechless. Although he knew the other party was likely speaking nonsense, this string of twisted logic sounded somewhat plausible at first hearing.

While he was still reeling in astonishment, He Yi-ming suddenly spoke in a deep voice, “Your weapon can simultaneously wield the power of the Five Elements. What is this object called?”

The masked monster’s mind felt foggy. He replied vaguely, “This is the Five Elements Ring.”

“A fine Five Elements Ring indeed,” He Yi-ming’s voice seemed to soften, yet also gained a trace of allure, causing the monster to become momentarily entranced. “When you trespassed into the Wolf Totem Clan back then, using the power of the Five Elements to injure their Totem Emissaries and steal the Totem Sacred Relics—was that you?”

“Yes.”

The masked monster suddenly started, his dazed eyes instantly brightening. Cold sweat poured down his back.

He had, without realizing it, been deceived by the tone of He Yi-ming’s voice and had revealed the most hidden truth of his heart.

He Yi-ming cursed his luck internally. However, the sonic manipulation techniques he possessed were merely rudimentary. If not for the shock of that initial saber strike, which had completely suppressed the monster’s arrogance and created a flaw in his mind, he wouldn't have been able to use his self-devised sonic art to confuse him and extract the most crucial information.

The masked monster took a deep breath, his agitated heart settling down completely.

“The Spirit Bewitching Art of Tianchi Mountain? No, the Prophecy Art of the West? Neither… what cultivation technique is this?”

He Yi-ming felt a chill. The sonic technique he had employed was a combination of the secret sonic arts used by the Western expert Lomia and Xu Cheng-chang from Tianchi Mountain.

It was precisely because this technique was a hybrid—a sort of ‘neither-nor’—that the monster had fallen for it during his moment of carelessness, but it was also why the monster had been able to break free so easily.

However, since this person could instantly recognize the origin of that technique, he must be someone with broad knowledge.

He reached out and slowly raised the Guandao. As he did this, the masked monster’s eyes were fixed tightly on the weapon. After enduring that first saber strike, any further underestimation would truly be courting death.

“May I ask what enmity I hold against you, that you would travel deep into the mountains to frame me?” He Yi-ming’s voice gradually turned grim, his killing intent now entirely undisguised.

It was precisely because this man had lured Suo Ge and the others out of the deep mountains that Shui Xuan-jin ultimately died.

Before today, He Yi-ming had been utterly perplexed by the words of Suo Ge and the others, even suspecting they were deliberately slandering him.

But only now did he realize that someone had indeed framed him—but that person was not one of the Totem Clan members like Suo Ge, but this mysterious Three Flowers expert wielding the Five Elements Ring.

The thought that Shui Xuan-jin had died because of this made his heart boil over, and the powerful killing intent surged out like a tangible substance.

The masked monster snorted coldly. “You want to know the reason? Very well. If I kill you, I will naturally tell you the truth.”

A cold, stark smile played on He Yi-ming’s lips, though the smile was utterly chilling to the bone.

The Guandao in his hand suddenly flared with light. As vast true qi poured into it, the light emitted by the blade became dazzling, much like the gem-like eyes of Bai Ling-Ba, bright as the red sun in the sky.

A gust of wind swept through, accompanied by the blinding white light, stirring up a wind of death in the jungle that swept towards the masked monster.

The masked monster’s eyes regained absolute composure. He simultaneously channeled his true qi into the Five Elements Ring, causing the earth, metal, and water element glows to fully manifest.

Although the Five Elements Ring could simulate all the powers within the Five Elements, to exert those powers to their absolute extreme, the user had to employ energies of the corresponding element.

In an instant, three different colors of light—yellow, white, and black—permeated the area around the masked monster. They interwove, seemingly fusing but also inherently incompatible, yet no matter how they shifted, they formed a solid whole, perfectly shielding him. Even the keen edge of the Guandao could not pierce through.

This was the true might of the Five Elements Ring. Once the superficial clash of auras ceased and both sides unleashed their true skills, the power displayed by the Ring surpassed He Yi-ming’s expectations.

Vast swaths of white saber light and three-colored energy danced in that area, causing the surrounding environment to suffer the most severe devastation ever recorded. Countless towering trees were pulverized as if fed into a meat grinder, turning to dust beneath the moonlit sky. The immense killing aura released was so terrifying that it scared the wild beasts in the forest witless.

The two of them were like Gods of Destruction, mercilessly grinding everything in their path into powder. In their hearts, there was no room for mercy—only a single thought: kill the opponent right here and now…

Fortunately, the place where they fought was deep within the mountains. Had this occurred at the He Family Village, who knew how many lives would have been affected.

Vast true qi was continuously poured into the Guandao. He Yi-ming’s heart gradually grew calm. He meticulously observed the strange weapon in his opponent’s hand. After this prolonged, fierce combat, he finally had a breakthrough insight.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and the Guandao suddenly began to vibrate violently. A sound like a sonic boom echoed through the air, and then the saber spun as it thrust toward the masked monster.

He Yi-ming was using the saber like a spear, aiming straight for the monster’s face.

The masked monster was extremely suspicious. What kind of combat technique was this? How could it be so bizarre?

Yet, he showed no fear. The three-colored light coiled around the blade like three massive pythons, wrapping the Guandao tightly.

He Yi-ming laughed loudly. “Break for me!”

He exerted force with his hand, lifting the Guandao upwards, as if using ten thousand pounds of strength to try and knock the Five Elements Ring away.

The masked monster snorted coldly. He flicked his wrist, and the three-colored light rapidly expanded, intending to use the momentum to avoid the blade’s edge.

However, at that exact moment, he suddenly realized that the Five Elements Ring in his hand was stuck fast to the opponent’s Guandao, as if the two weapons were meant to be one entity, utterly inseparable.

His heart lurched in terror, but no matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't fathom the reason…

Could it be that the Guandao and the Five Elements Ring attracted each other like male and female partners, causing them to suddenly become intimately inseparable, like lacquer and glue?

Nonetheless, he was a top-tier master. In an instant, he sank his stance, rooted his feet firmly, and concentrated all his true qi, intending to win the contest of energy against He Yi-ming.

But just as his stance was firmly planted and he began to exert force, he saw He Yi-ming twist his wrist. The Guandao instantly split in two: one half remained locked onto the Five Elements Ring, while the other half instantly turned pitch-black and stabbed toward his chest…

Ps: I took my daughter to calligraphy practice today; only two chapters and ten thousand words published. Bai He will continue to ask for monthly votes; tomorrow, I guarantee fifteen thousand words.

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Black Sky Demon God has started a new book! I, Bai He, was too busy recently and only just saw it—I am truly speechless.

The Renegade seems to be based on the setting of the game Ragnarok 2.

A commoner youth living at the very bottom of society accidentally obtains a metal skull that gathers all human wisdom. While his martial skills and mental abilities are greatly enhanced, he also collects low-grade warships in bulk at rock-bottom prices. Utilizing the “miracles” he masters, he converts small gunboats into cruisers, frigate escorts into battleships, and small aircraft into reconstructed space carriers. From there, he suddenly becomes a prominent figure sought after by all warring nations in the universe. Of course, he also harbors a secret deep within his heart…

That is, the number one battleship in the universe, constructed entirely from countless pieces of war scrap, belonging only to him.

If you enjoy interstellar stories, please go give it support.

When you go, leave a note saying Bai He referred you, so we can see how much pulling power I have. Thank you ^_^