The colossal claw of a spirit beast struck out. That inner-city disciple, having dodged two previous attacks, couldn't react in time and was sent flying with a scream.

The moment he hit the ground, two thick forelegs descended upon him without mercy. The inner-city disciple scrambled, rolling desperately, and managed to spring up despite the agonizing pain.

"Hoo!"

With an almost inaudible rush of displaced air, a bulky figure suddenly lunged forward, throwing a punch toward his chest. Focusing his gaze, he realized with a jolt of terror—it was the two figures, and his companion, stuck tightly together, who had just vanished into the spirit beast horde! The inner-city disciple was struck with stark fear.

Judging by the momentum of the attack, if he were sent flying this time, he would instantly be torn to shreds by the frenzied spirit beasts! A flash of green light ignited as the disciple hurriedly activated the "Cui Wen Yu Dian" (Jade Blouse of Verdant Patterns).

With a resounding bang, the fist slammed hard against the protective shield covering his chest. The dense green barrier rippled, dissipating the force of the blow, but the disciple still broke out in a cold sweat. Yet, immediately after, the figure leaped high into the air—another punch hurtled down toward his head!

"Don't kill me!"

The inner-city disciple cried out in horrified desperation, his panicked shriek echoing as the eerie, greenish glow of the Cui Wen Yu Dian shield revealed his look of utter despair. He could tell that Nie Kong’s punch had mobilized all the spiritual power within his body. If it landed on his head, it would instantly shatter the Cui Wen Yu Die shield and crush his skull. He did not want to die, nor did he want to perish so unjustly at Nie Kong's hands within this illusionary space.

"Fierce Hand!"

The two inner-city disciples not far away watched this unfold, their faces paling with shock. They tried to rush over to offer aid, but they were fully entangled by the spirit beasts, fighting for their very lives.

"Thud!"

The punch carried a fierce, dominating momentum, but at the last possible second, it landed with only a gentle tap. Amidst a crisp clink, the inner-city disciple, eyes tightly shut, cried out in pain.

"Haha, Senior Brother, don't be afraid! I'm a good person; how could I possibly kill someone during the Six Halls Grand Competition? Truthfully, I only meant to scare you!" Amidst a booming laugh, Nie Kong’s shadow flickered, and carrying Miao Ge, he swiftly vanished back into the spirit beast throng, leaving no trace.

In an instant, a pillar of green light suddenly descended from the sky, enveloping the body of the inner-city disciple and whisking him out of the illusionary space.

"Nie Kong, get out here, you bastard!"

"Sneaking around, hiding your head and tail—what kind of skill is that? If you dare show yourself in front of me, I’ll send you out of this illusionary space with a single punch!"

"Nie Kong, you are utterly treacherous!"

"Everyone be careful! Those two are hidden among the spirit beasts and could strike at any moment. Let's stick together, lest we fall into their trap!"

"..."

Almost all the inner-city disciples understood how their fellow disciple had exited. While fear gnawed at their hearts, they couldn't help but roar in anger. The relentless, storm-like attacks from the spirit beasts already had them struggling to cope; if Nie Kong launched another sneak attack, wouldn't that be adding ice to the snow?

In moments, everyone gravitated toward Luo Sheng.

"Nie Kong, I thought you were actually going to kill him!"

Within the spirit beast horde, Miao Ge couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, recalling the final expression of the inner-city disciple. Then she added, "...Actually, it was right not to kill him. If one slays a peer during the Six Halls Grand Competition, severe punishment follows upon discovery. In my view, those who genuinely wish you dead, like Luo Sheng and Xiao Yao, are still the minority—most people, if they encountered you, would at most force you out of the illusionary space."

Nie Kong chuckled softly, "Don't worry. I plan to stay in Lingyu City for a while longer, so I won't act recklessly. Of course, since these people dared to come running, I can't let them have it too easy."

The previous incident with Xiao Yao—killing him was acceptable. After all, it was just the two of them then; after eliminating him, he could easily pin it on the spirit beasts. But in just that short span of time, several more inner-city disciples had arrived; the total count was now approaching forty.

Nie Kong couldn't possibly kill them all. Not only was it impossible to achieve, but even if he could, he shouldn't. One or two deaths could be attributed to accident, but if dozens of people died in the illusionary space, it would be impossible to explain away, and he would lose any chance of remaining in Lingyu City.

The reason Luo Sheng and Xiao Yao dared to harbor murderous intent toward him was entirely due to the fact that, occasionally during the Six Halls Grand Competition, one or two outer-city disciples failed to activate their "Cui Wen Yu..." in time and tragically perished in the mouths of spirit beasts, or perhaps, after activating the "Cui Wen Yu Dian," they were unluckily struck directly on the center of the head by a full-force blow from a few Rank Three spirit beasts. Although the chance of such an accident was slim, it did exist.

Nie Kong estimated that the commotion he caused had long since drawn the attention of those watching at the Lingxiao Altar. They could track the situation within the illusionary space by observing the changes in the red and green dots on the mountains and rivers outside, and they could certainly know that none of the spirit beasts within could harm him.

By now, even if he stood before those inner-city disciples completely defenseless, they would no longer dare to attempt killing him. Of course, they might restrain him and forcibly activate their "Cui Wen Yu..." to ruin his chance of entering the inner city this year.

As for Luo Sheng, Nie Kong wasn't entirely certain. Looking at the fellow's demeanor and expression, he knew his personality must be extremely paranoid. Since he was convinced Nie Kong was the killer of Luo Teng, he might very well defy the rules of the Six Halls Grand Competition and continue seeking his death.

"It's true we can't let them off too easily—these guys are infuriating!"

Recalling the scene where she was mocked, Miao Ge grit her teeth in anger. "Actually, when this competition first began, allowing inner-city disciples to participate in the illusionary space was meant to increase the difficulty of the assessment, ensuring only truly capable disciples remained. At that time, the selection of participating inner-city disciples was extremely strict, designed to completely prevent intentional harm to outer-city peers. It's just that in recent years, the criteria for selecting these inner-city disciples have become increasingly lax. No major issues arose before, but now that you've stirred up such a huge fuss, it might lead to some changes in future 'Six Halls Grand Competitions.' I heard a Vice Hall Master has already raised an objection!"

"Oh?"

Nie Kong laughed, "If that's the case, haven't I done a good deed for the junior brothers and sisters who will enter Lingyu City in the future?" As he spoke, Nie Kong moved stealthily toward the opposite group again. "Miao Ge, hold on tight. If you fall, don't blame me!"

Miao Ge had just calmed down, but Nie Kong's reminder made her suddenly realize the intimate way her arms were wrapped around his neck and her legs gripped his waist—it was as ambiguous as it could possibly be. Especially the tight press of their chests and abdomens, which made her feel as if their heartbeats were synchronized. Her delicate body grew hotter, and the two enchanting blushes that had faded from her pale cheeks crept back.

She gritted her teeth and slightly loosened the grip of her limbs, panting deeply a few times.

At this moment, the inner-city disciples opposite had formed a circle around Luo Sheng, and outside this core, more inner-city disciples and spirit beasts were gathering, joining the chaotic battle. The shouts of the inner-city disciples and the wild roars of the spirit beasts resonated ceaselessly through the forest.

"Swoosh!"

Nie Kong's figure shot out like an arrow loosed from a bowstring, his fist breaking the air, striking with lightning speed toward an inner-city disciple who had unwittingly strayed too close to several spirit beasts.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

In an instant, the "Cloud Flower Four..." technique was unleashed—brilliant, verdant spiritual energy bloomed across the back of that inner-city disciple. The suddenly exploding force caused the man to cry out in pain, staggering forward several meters before collapsing. Yet, just as he was about to hit the ground, he exerted his last ounce of strength and activated the "Cui Wen Yu Die."

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Four thick hooves stomped down, but they were narrowly blocked by the Cui Wen Yu Die that manifested over the disciple's body—an extremely close call.

Nie Kong once again used a passing spirit beast to conceal his movement, his laughter flashing briefly: "Esteemed inner-city Senior Brothers, do be careful! Although I am a good person and won't truly kill you, if you walk right into the mouths of the spirit beasts yourselves, you can’t blame me."

"Nie Kong!"

The voice seemed to be squeezed out between clenched teeth. Luo Sheng hissed darkly, his entire body transforming like the spiritual energy sword in his hand, shooting furiously toward the location where Nie Kong’s voice had come from. Covered in blood, his killing intent soared toward the heavens, leaving a pungent, odor in his wake!

"Jiu Po..."

With a piercing shriek, a massive head strangely protruded from the spirit beast mass—it was the black giant python that had been locked in a long struggle with Luo Sheng.

Among all the spirit beasts, although this python was equally savage and violent, its attacks possessed a cunning slyness compared to the other Rank Two and Three beasts. It did not engage Luo Sheng head-on but would suddenly dart out to bite whenever Luo Sheng let his guard down.

"Scram!"

Luo Sheng's eyes were cold as the long sword in his hand flashed out. The python's head instantly retracted, hiding behind another spirit beast, while its tail swept horizontally toward Luo Sheng from another side.

"Crash!"

The long sword, flickering with small red lights, suddenly burst open. The spiritual energy of the heaven and earth in the void churned violently, and potent shockwaves rolled and surged. The spirit beast used as the python's shield only managed a mournful cry before its body shattered into pieces, flesh and blood scattering like rain across the sky. Instantly, the giant tail of the black python was whistling toward Luo Sheng’s back, and in front of him, that massive bloody maw opened again, lunging to devour him.

"Swoosh!"

Luo Sheng's right palm was suddenly enveloped in a layer of faint, moss-green luminescence. His arm twisted backward unnaturally, and his five fingers plunged like sharp swords into the python's tail. Simultaneously, his left hand fused spiritual energy elements into a new azure longsword, stabbing toward the python's blood-red eye.

"Spurt!"

A large patch of flesh was torn from its tail, and the giant python let out a shriek. It shook its head, narrowly dodging Luo Sheng’s sword, and retreated back into the spirit beast horde.

Luo Sheng snorted coldly and did not pursue, continuing his charge. However, when he rounded several spirit beasts and reached the spot where Nie Kong had been speaking, the pair had vanished entirely. Instead, from behind him, the extremely indignant roars of the inner-city disciples of Lingyu City erupted once more: "Nie Kong, you scoundrel, how dare you sneak attack my backside..."