What astonishing move did Du Xiaowu have that could kill Yan Hao? Perhaps Yan Hao was first killed by a high-level demonic beast inside the Langya Secret Realm, and this brat stumbled upon the scene and took a huge advantage!
Yes, it must be so.” Yu Weifeng’s sharp gaze swept over Ye Qin, unable to discern any astonishing technique. He was deeply perplexed, speculating on possibilities while anxiously regulating his breathing to recover the mana within his body.
Not long ago, he had fully unleashed his power to charge out of the Qiankun Qimen Formation astride the Scarlet Flood Dragon Sword, draining nearly eight or nine tenths of his internal mana. Until he understood Ye Qin’s means, he would not act rashly.
He had known Ye Qin for quite some time, actually. At the Island Seizing Assembly in Baifu City, Ye Qin and Huangfu Bing’er had joined forces to defeat him and knock him off the stage, stealing the best Spirit-Bearing Island.
Although this was a minor incident, it had always rankled Yu Weifeng. He had never believed he was inferior to Ye Qin; it was only because he was facing two Golden Core cultivators fighting together that he was defeated.
For this punitive expedition against the Earth Tribe, Yu Weifeng had long disliked Ye Qin. However, out of consideration for Ye Qin’s status as a direct descendant of Sect Master Yu and his special identity as the leader of the Heavenly Dao Alliance’s Golden Core cultivators, he had refrained from deliberately causing trouble or suppressing Ye Qin.
In Yu Weifeng’s eyes, a rogue cultivator like Ye Qin, who had crossed the sea from the Central Lands to achieve the Golden Core stage, was simply the result of sheer, unimaginable luck—eight lifetimes of accumulated virtue—and was utterly unworthy of serious attention. Paying him too much heed, or deliberately suppressing him, would only highlight Ye Qin as extraordinary, drawing the attention of more Golden Core cultivators or even Nascent Soul Ancestors—something Yu Weifeng did not want to see.
After all, a Golden Core rogue cultivator like Ye Qin, lacking a strong background in the East Sea, could easily be swallowed up by the masses of East Sea cultivators, becoming one of countless obscure Golden Core cultivators with virtually no hope of reaching the Nascent Soul stage, let alone becoming famous throughout the East Sea Cultivation World. In this punitive expedition against the Earth Tribe, the opponent Yu Weifeng truly cared about was only Yan Hao, the direct descendant of Giant Yan.
But what Yu Weifeng never expected was that Yan Hao had met his end—killed and fallen—at some point, and even the Yan family’s minor divine artifact, the Xunlei Ancient Mirror, had fallen into Ye Qin’s hands. “If this brat killed Yan Hao using his true strength, then his cunning is terrifyingly deep, and his hidden power is probably immense.
What lies ahead will be an exceptionally difficult, arduous battle. If this brat merely picked up the Xunlei Ancient Mirror after Yan Hao died, then he’s just incredibly lucky; he’s nothing to fear.” Yu Weifeng’s expression flickered between gloomy and uncertain.
He retracted the Scarlet Flood Dragon Sword, which now shone dimly, and put it back into his storage pouch. He then spat out two fire-element Primordial Spirit Flying Swords and a Fire Spirit Orb, preparing for combat.
The Scarlet Flood Dragon Sword was incredibly mighty, but it required four massive drafts of pure vital essence to forcibly activate this minor divine artifact. However, if he exhaled even one breath of vital essence now, his cultivation would plummet from the Golden Core stage to the ninth layer of the Foundation Establishment stage; another large breath, and he would drop from the ninth layer to the first layer of the Foundation Establishment stage.
He simply lacked the necessary essence to wield the Scarlet Flood Dragon Sword. Frankly, although minor divine artifacts possess the terrifying power to instantly kill Golden Core cultivators, if a Golden Core cultivator lacks sufficient vital essence to drive them, the artifact is no different from waste, less useful than an ordinary low-grade magic tool.
Both Ye Qin and Yu Weifeng were hovering right on the critical boundary of the Golden Core stage; neither could afford to expend more vital essence to utilize a minor divine artifact in battle. Ye Qin watched Yu Weifeng coldly.
Seeing his constantly shifting expression, he knew exactly what Yu Weifeng was contemplating. Ye Qin wasted no words.
Seeing Yu Weifeng readying himself to strike, he immediately opened his mouth and spat out the four flying swords from his lower Dantian: the Golden Crow Radiant Light Sword, the Heavenly Silk Sound Sword, the Yellow Earth Heavy Dust Sword, and the Southern Bright Departing Fire Sword. He manipulated these four Primordial Spirit Flying Swords, suspending them above and below his body, their golden, azure, crimson, and yellow light beams interweaving, dazzlingly brilliant.
Things had reached this point; only one of him and Yu Weifeng would walk out of this ancient hall alive. Setting aside the fact that Yu Weifeng had utilized the vital essence of numerous Golden Core cultivators to break the Qiankun Qimen Formation, only to attempt to slaughter them all at the most critical moment so he could successfully seize the Xu Niu Drum—this grudge could not go unavenged.
Furthermore, Ye Qin did not want Yu Weifeng leaving the Langya Secret Realm alive with the news that the Xunlei Ancient Mirror of Yan Hao was in his possession. Once that information leaked, the wrath of Giant Yan would place unimaginable pressure upon him.
Thinking of this, the killing intent in Ye Qin’s heart intensified. “Cultivators who have just entered the Golden Core stage are usually considered fortunate to possess one Primordial Spirit artifact.
You actually have four. No wonder you dare to be so arrogant!” Yu Weifeng’s expression immediately changed, and he spoke with a hint of sourness.
Although he was a direct descendant of Sect Master Yu of the Heavenly Dao Alliance, there were many direct descendants, and naturally, not every descendant received a bestowed artifact or treasure from the Sect Master. More than half of the required spirit pills and artifacts for their daily cultivation still had to be obtained through their own means.
Yu Weifeng had only managed to refine two Primordial Spirit artifacts to date, yet Ye Qin possessed four at once. It would be a lie to say Yu Weifeng felt no jealousy.
Yu Weifeng’s minor divine artifact, the Scarlet Flood Dragon Sword, had been borrowed temporarily from Sect Master Yu and had to be returned after the completion of this punitive expedition against the Earth Tribe. “However, with just these four Primordial Spirit artifacts, I doubt you can kill me!
Bring out whatever other means you possess!” Yu Weifeng said, extremely vigilant and cautious. Ye Qin responded coldly, raising both hands again.
He released two magic treasures simultaneously: the Water Shell Spirit Pearl and the Pink Haze Magic Pearl, suspending them a few feet above his hands. “Then I shall add two magic treasures.
Do you think that’s enough weight to kill you!?” Since he intended to leave Yu Weifeng here today, he resolved to go all out, unleashing his strongest four Primordial Spirit artifacts and two magic treasures. Simultaneously, the dwindling mana within Ye Qin surged out, and the light of the four Primordial Spirit artifacts and two magic treasures flared simultaneously.
“Isn’t this the Pink Haze Magic Pearl from the Heavenly Canopy Palace of the Heavenly Demon Alliance? Why is Miao Tong’s immobilization artifact in your hands!
Did you kill Miao Tong first, and then use this artifact to ambush Yan Hao and steal his Xunlei Ancient Mirror?” Upon seeing the pink spirit pearl, Yu Weifeng’s expression shifted drastically, as if he deeply feared the Pink Haze Magic Pearl. As a first-layer Golden Core cultivator, his cultivation level and mana reserves were not significantly different from Ye Qin’s.
In combat, the true contest relied on the strength of the artifacts and treasures each side possessed. Yu Weifeng estimated that with his two fire-element Primordial Spirit artifacts and one fire-element magic treasure, he was already considered quite strong among Golden Core cultivators.
But Ye Qin possessed four Primordial Spirit artifacts and two magic treasures—more than double his total! Especially Ye Qin’s Pink Haze Magic Pearl; this treasure could emit pink hazy light.
Once enveloped by it, both cultivators and artifacts would be immobilized on the spot. Simply comparing artifacts, he was clearly inferior to Ye Qin.
Yu Weifeng instantly felt a sense of foreboding. He placed his right hand on the storage pouch at his waist, and instantly, a refined, fire-colored talisman, five inches long, appeared in his hand.
The material of this talisman was a top-tier fire element substance, far superior to ordinary high-grade talismans. The talisman was inscribed with extremely complex magical incantations and patterns, vaguely resembling a soldier...
“Flame Armament!” With a sharp shout, Yu Weifeng slammed the fire-colored talisman forward. The fire talisman flew over ten feet ahead before suddenly exploding mid-air, scattering flames everywhere.
These bursting flames were all Samadhi True Fire, not aimed directly at Ye Qin, but landing on the ground, rapidly coalescing and shrinking into an armored soldier whose entire body was engulfed in roaring flames. This flame giant stood five zhang tall, wielding a long flaming blade in its right hand and holding a massive flame shield in its left.
Its firelight was eerie, and its fiery pupils were filled with tyrannical aggression, exhibiting extreme ferocity. With a muffled boom, the Flame Armament landed.
“Flame Armament Talisman! Brother Ye, be careful!
This is Sect Master Yu’s Divine Ability of Summoning Soldiers, forging armored soldiers from flame! Each Flame Armament possesses the strength of a mid-stage fire-element Golden Core cultivator.
It is both offensive and defensive; every strike from its blade or shield is enough to shatter mountains tens of thousands of feet high.” Zhou Yao, standing not far behind Ye Qin, cried out in horror, informing Ye Qin of the Flame Armament’s might. At the same time, she, Liao Xiaohui, Jin Zhongshan, Pan Shuang, and the other cultivators hastily retreated.
With two Golden Core cultivators like Ye Qin and Yu Weifeng fighting, their current cultivation at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment made interference difficult. Even a single spark from this Flame Armament formed of Samadhi True Fire would be enough for the likes of them, ninth-layer Foundation Establishment cultivators, to suffer greatly.
“Brat surnamed Ye, you calculated everything, but you never expected me to possess this top-tier talisman, gaining a helper with the strength of a mid-stage Golden Core out of thin air! Now it’s two Golden Cores against one Golden Core—you’re doomed!
You dared to try and kill me? You’re courting death!” Yu Weifeng roared maniacally, controlling the Flame Armament as they charged toward Ye Qin.
A cold glint flashed in Ye Qin’s eyes. “Flame Armament?!
Let my Immortal Body Great Art sample the might of Sect Master Yu’s Flame Armament!” Ye Qin acted swiftly. The Water Shell Spirit Pearl flashed, and several thick, blue water curtain walls manifested in front of him, buying time.
Next, he traced an arc in the air before him with his right hand, manifesting a magic mirror. Ye Qin’s figure appeared within this mirror, and in the blink of an eye, an exact duplicate of Ye Qin materialized in the hall.
Both ‘Ye Qins’ simultaneously charged toward Yu Weifeng and the Flame Armament. “Is this an illusion technique?” Yu Weifeng smashed through the water curtain wall and, upon seeing two ‘Ye Qins,’ was initially startled, then scornful.
“Hmph, you think you can fight me with this petty illusion?! Once the illusion is broken, I’ll see you utterly destroyed.” Yu Weifeng lunged toward one of the Ye Qins.
Under Yu Weifeng’s control, the Flame Armament paused only briefly before sweeping its flaming long blade toward the other Ye Qin. Yu Weifeng encountered Ye Qin’s mana illusion.
The Flame Armament encountered the real Ye Qin. But what shocked Yu Weifeng again was that both the true and false ‘Ye Qins’ possessed attack power, capable of simultaneously engaging him and the Flame Armament in combat.
The mana illusion, although possessing only one-third of Ye Qin’s combat power, managed to stall Yu Weifeng, forcing him to destroy the illusionary body first before he could join forces with the Flame Armament to attack the true Ye Qin. The Pink Haze Magic Pearl in Ye Qin’s hand flared brightly, shooting out a stream of pink light that enveloped the Flame Armament.
The Armament’s movements became sluggish, far less swift than Yu Weifeng’s, and it was instantly immobilized. Ye Qin flicked his right hand’s two fingers, and the four Primordial Spirit Flying Swords struck the Flame Armament with full force.
With a crack, the Flame Armament was shattered into pieces by the Primordial Spirit artifacts, scattering into countless flames on the ground. Simultaneously, all the pink rays within the Pink Haze Magic Pearl vanished, turning it into a discarded, ordinary spirit pearl.
Although Yu Weifeng destroyed Ye Qin’s illusory body, seeing the Flame Armament also smashed to pieces by Ye Qin’s fierce assault, his heart sank immediately. His face changed, and he rapidly retreated, lunging directly toward the Xu Niu Drum located at the rear of the hall.
Continuing to fight Ye Qin offered him no advantage; instead, he faced the danger of being killed. Yu Weifeng now only wanted to seize the damaged Xu Niu Drum and quickly escape the Langya Secret Realm back to Baifu City.
As for eliminating Ye Qin, that could wait for another day. “Hah!” At that moment, Zhou Yao let out a clear cry.
Her Great Five Elements Sword Formation shot out, intercepting Yu Weifeng. “Zhou Yao, you dare obstruct me!” Yu Weifeng’s movement faltered instantly as he looked at Zhou Yao, exploding in fury.
“It’s useless, you have no mana left—your death is sealed! But I still have a few helpers on my side—Big Brother Jin, Sister Liao, Brother Pan, let’s join forces and kill him!” Zhou Yao dared to step forward now because she had discerned Yu Weifeng’s true state.
She shouted loudly. Liao Xiaohui, Jin Zhongshan, Pan Shuang, and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators flashed to surround Yu Weifeng, each manipulating their artifacts, glaring at him with boiling rage.
“You actually dare oppose me? The Purple Sword Palace, Treasure Gathering Palace, and Broad Language Immortal Palace all serve under Sect Master Yu.
Back off immediately, and I will spare you this once.” Yu Weifeng was furious, with a hint of terror in his expression. Zhou Yao was correct; he truly had no mana left.
To break through the Qiankun Qimen Formation, his mana was almost completely exhausted. The top-tier fire talisman he had used to fight Ye Qin earlier only sustained him for a brief moment before he dared not press the advantage.
“Yu Weifeng, if it weren’t for you, how could we have depleted so much of our essence and plummeted out of the Golden Core realm! You still expect us to let you go?
If I let you return alive, would I even be considered a man? Today, you are finished!
Kill!” Jin Zhongshan gritted his teeth, launching a dazzling golden magic pearl shining with light, attacking Yu Weifeng furiously. The four Foundation Establishment cultivators, each controlling high-grade artifacts, besieged the Golden Core cultivator Yu Weifeng.
All four had long hated Yu Weifeng to the core but had feared his strength and dared not act. Now that his mana was depleted, the accumulated rage and resentment of the four could no longer be suppressed.
Under the siege of seven or eight high-grade artifacts, a scream echoed, and Yu Weifeng was blasted into a mist of blood, leaving no trace of his corpse.