Within the confines of the dark green vine wall, violent bursts of sound continuously propagated outwards, jarring the eardrums of the onlookers, accompanied by sharp, hissing shrieks.

The crowd was consumed by unbearable curiosity, longing to tear open the vine barrier and peer inside. Opportunities to witness a battle involving the Serpent Spirit Clan were exceedingly rare; many might never encounter one in their entire lives. Of course, such thoughts remained strictly confined to their minds. That vine wall had repelled the Serpent Spirit Clan members previously; it wasn't something easily breached. Furthermore, the creator of this barrier was that formidable individual—who dared provoke him?

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a massive serpent shadow shot out from the dark green vine wall, slamming heavily onto the ground.

"Thud!"

The impact sounded like a colossal hammer striking their hearts. The onlookers quickly focused their gaze, only to see that the creature lying on the ground was the vividly colored, large-headed giant snake. After only a slight tremor, the serpentine form rapidly faded, revealing the gaunt figure of a man.

Less than a minute had passed, yet the thin man’s clothes were already tattered rags, his entire body soaked crimson with blood, the exposed flesh a mangled ruin. His triangular eyes blinked blankly, his gasps growing fainter until, shortly after, his pupils dilated and faded away.

"Hush!"

The faint azure luminescence that had enveloped the gaunt man’s body flickered subtly, and an almost imperceptible breeze seemed to whisper through the void. The man's figure then grew increasingly transparent, swiftly vanishing from the sight of the assembled crowd.

"Deadly!"

Seeing this, the word simultaneously flashed in everyone’s mind, yet no one spoke for a long moment.

For any human entering this space, their body was only transported back to the entrance of the "Netherfire Spring" upon absolute death. That Serpent Spirit Clan member had clearly perished completely; otherwise, he would be lying in the passage, like those others who had been knocked unconscious by Nie Kong.

"Thud!"

Another serpent shadow burst from the vine wall and crashed to the earth.

Seconds later, the serpent form indeed reverted to human shape—it was one of the Serpent Spirit Clan men. This individual appeared slightly better off than the first; at least he wasn't drenched in blood, though he was continuously spitting up streams of crimson fluid. However, his chest had completely collapsed inward.

This Serpent Spirit Clan member was clearly not going to survive either!

The crowd exchanged glances, a cold dread creeping into their hearts as they considered the figure within the dark green vine enclosure who was relentlessly carrying out the slaughter.

Since the "Netherfire Spring" had been seized by that person, the number of Spirit Masters truly killed by him hadn't been overwhelming. But the sudden, vicious execution following a smile was bone-chilling; this was true, merciless killing!

Many within the "Dark Soul Hall" had blood on their hands, but few acted as he did. Unconsciously, the onlookers felt a measure of relief. Thank goodness when Zhou Cai seized the "Netherfire Spring," that man had only intended to intimidate everyone, not commence a wholesale massacre as he was doing now. Otherwise, even if the Spirit Masters in the "Dark Soul Hall" ultimately managed to kill him, few would likely survive until the very end!

"Hush!"

In less than half a minute, the second Serpent Spirit Clan member vanished from the passage. The instant his life ceased, another serpent shadow burst from the vine wall, as if precisely timed.

"Thud!"

The sound of the serpent body hitting the ground made the onlookers' hearts tremble slightly. As they looked upon the Serpent Spirit Clan member who had reverted to human form, a thread of pity and sympathy involuntarily surfaced in their eyes. These fellows had died so unjustly. Had they known the target’s connection to that fiend beforehand, even if given ten times the courage, they would never have dared to act so openly in this place! Alas, there is no regretting elixir in this world!

As the azure luminescence on the Serpent Spirit Clan member’s body began to undulate, the gazes of the crowd quietly shifted towards Hua Tang and the others, covertly speculating about their identities.

These five women were all exquisitely beautiful, like blooming flowers, especially the one lying unconscious, who was breathtakingly lovely and evoked a desire to protect her. What was her relationship with that demon? To provoke him into risking offense against the entire Serpent Spirit Clan for such a murderous rampage here—their bond must be extraordinary!

Wife? Lover? Or sister…?

"Thud!" "Thud!" "..."

The Serpent Spirit Clan members died and vanished continuously; the serpent shadows appeared without cease. Listening to the intermittent crashing sounds, the spirits of the onlookers slowly became somewhat numbed...

Netherfire Spring Space Entrance.

More than a month had passed, and numerous tents were still pitched across this wide oasis. The masters and powerhouses had not departed, as those who entered the Illusionary Space were the elite disciples of their respective Sects and Clans; none could abandon them. It was safer to wait until the day the Illusionary Space sealed.

Inside the Illusionary Space, things were manageable; the Spirit Transformation Masters entering had relatively similar cultivation levels, and caution usually averted major danger. But leaving was another matter entirely. If they were ambushed and killed by hostile forces on the return journey, there would be no time even for tears.

"Six! Six of them are dead!"

At the space entrance, some young people who had exited early stared at the six figures lying prone ahead, their faces filled with astonishment. Around them were many experts from various Sects and Noble Clans, all harboring secret doubts. In just a few short minutes, six people had died successively within the Illusionary Space...

And that didn't count the few who had already been carried away!

During the previous thirty-plus days, although corpses had been transported to the entrance, a situation where multiple deaths occurred in such quick succession had never happened before. They wondered what exactly was transpiring inside the Illusionary Space now. Could the struggle for the "Netherfire Spring" still be ongoing?

"Seven! Eight..." "Tsk, tsk, eight dead ones right away!" "I wonder if there will be more? Let's wait and see." "..."

Many muttered under their breath.

At the entrance, eight bloody bodies lay in a row. The azure luminescence on their skin had faded, indicating that the "Azure Sea Blue Sky" cards had already separated from their physical forms. Moments later, a short, thin old man walked over, his eyes narrowed to two thin slits, a cold glint flickering within.

The old man did not wait; with a slight flick of his right hand, eight "Azure Sea Blue Sky" cards floated up simultaneously and settled into his palm.

It appeared these eight men all hailed from the old man’s family or sect, and they were the only eight who had entered the Illusionary Space! Realizing this, many looked at the old man with a measure of sympathy. All the disciples sent in had perished—a massive tragedy!

"Chang Gong, I guarantee you that’s an old snake!"

On a small, dark green hill a hundred meters away, Nao Tian’s fleshy face trembled as he spoke in a hushed, conspiratorial tone.

"Serpent Spirit Clan?"

Gu Chang Gong frowned slightly, then smiled. "The Serpent Spirit Clan has suffered a heavy loss this time. All eight clan members who entered are dead. I wonder who dealt the blow? The Flower Spirit Clan? It is said that every time the space opens, the primary target of the Serpent Spirit Clan members entering is the Flower Spirit women, with the 'Netherfire Spring' being secondary. Unfortunately, despite many years, their success rate has been minimal. This time, they have clearly failed again..."

"Wood Spirit Master!"

Suddenly, at the space entrance, the old man let out a low chuckle, uttering those three words like a chilling wind blowing from the deepest pits of the netherworld.

Although the old man’s voice was soft, it did not escape the surrounding powerhouses.

"Wood Spirit Master?"

Gu Chang Gong and Ming Tian exchanged glances. The one who killed those eight little snakes wasn't from the Flower Spirit Clan, but a Wood Spirit Master? Within the entire Illusionary Space, wasn't Nie Kong the only Wood Spirit Master? Could it be that he killed all these little snakes? That seemed too incredible. Although the young fellow possessed decent strength, he was only at the Ninth Grade of Spirit Transformation upon entry. Killing one small snake wouldn't be surprising, but killing eight in such a short time? "Perhaps Lan Shang and Liu Heming, or even the disciples of the Ink Snow Sect were involved, but Nie Kong was the final executioner!"

Gu Chang Gong and Nao Tian exchanged another look. Not only were they unconcerned, but faint smiles actually appeared on their faces, as if they took no heed of the old Serpent Spirit Clan man's distinctly threatening tone!

Their reaction was understandable!

Three thousand years ago, when Spirit Imperial City was founded, the City Lord and Hall Master at the time showed no fear when challenged by various powerhouses. Even the might of the Serpent Spirit Clan shouldn't inspire such dread in them. The Spirit Imperial City had been passed down for millennia; it couldn't possibly decline with each generation!

Inside the Dark Soul Hall, in the wide passage.

"..."

After the final massive serpent shadow rushed out of the vine wall and vanished upon reverting to human form, absolute silence reigned. Some people had secretly calculated the time: from the moment the eight Serpent Spirit Clan members were enveloped by the vine wall space until all were dead, the total time was less than three minutes.

If that fiend hadn't waited for the previous Serpent Spirit Clan members to perish before throwing out the next one, this time could have been cut by more than half! Though the onlookers hadn't witnessed the intense battle within the vine wall, the sharp shrieks and booming sounds that echoed out had never ceased. To eliminate eight Serpent Spirit Clan members in such a short span made their scalps tingle just contemplating it.

"Whoosh!"

The vine wall split open from the top and began to retract to both sides. Soon, Nie Kong's figure entered the sight of the crowd. After consecutively slaying eight opponents, not a single drop of blood stained his person.

Seeing the smile lingering on Nie Kong's face, many Spirit Masters suddenly felt a chill creep down their spines, and fear involuntarily flickered in their eyes. What was this fellow’s origin that he remained so composed? Did slaying a Serpent Spirit Clan member mean as little to him as eating or drinking?

"..."

As Nie Kong began to move, the passage stirred slightly, as the others started shuffling outward. In the span of a few moments, only Nie Kong, Bai Yuqing, Mu Hongling, Hua Mei, and Hua Tang—these five—remained in the passage, along with the disciples of the Spirit Imperial City and the Ink Snow Sect. Everyone else had departed.