The moment Ye Dengwen crashed several meters away, Nie Kong's "War God Star Seal" shattered those eighteen inky black sword blades, then slammed down upon Ye Dengwen with crushing force. And almost simultaneously, another "War God Star Seal" shot out from Nie Kong's body.

"Boom!"

Ye Dengwen's body was directly smashed into the earth, the "War God Star Seal" dissolving into golden light, scattering into nothingness in the void.

"Nie..." Ye Dengwen roared, but as he managed to lift his head slightly, Nie Kong's second "War God Star Seal" already descended, violently smashing his shout back down. The instant the golden light vanished, Ye Dengwen raised his head again from the crater.

But immediately following, the third "War God Star Seal" arrived in succession.

And then, the fourth, the fifth...

The sounds of roaring followed one after another, yet the surroundings remained utterly silent.

The dazzling golden light had attracted nearly everyone around the edifice, but whether they were the first arrivals or the latecomers, all were stunned speechless by the spectacle. The eighth-rank Elder of the Lingyu Sword Sect was being brutally beaten by a young man barely in his twenties?

Even the disciples from the Zhan Clan, like Zhan Qingzhu, were struck dumb. They had initially believed it would be impressive enough if Nie Kong could defeat a peak seventh-rank Black Spirit Master like Zhan Tianlong using the "War God Star Seal," but they never expected that even the eighth-rank Ye Dengwen would fall this time.

"Boom!"

Under countless gazes, yet another "War God Star Seal" descended.

"That should be enough."

Nie Kong murmured inwardly. Up to this point, he had used the "War God Star Seal" ten times—five times drawing from the Dark Stars in the Yaochi and Xinhai acupoints respectively. This method of attack consumed a great deal of death energy; after ten uses, those two brilliant golden Dark Stars had already dimmed considerably.

Stopping the attack?

Seeing Nie Kong cease his assault, the onlookers gradually snapped back to reality, their eyes darting between the deep pit and Nie Kong, every emotion laid bare on their faces.

Nie Kong paid no mind to their gazes. He casually pulled open the lapel of his "Lingxi Battle Robe" slightly, revealing two finger-length blood streaks across his chest—though the blood oozing out was an inky green hue.

These were left from when he initially withstood Ye Dengwen’s attacks head-on.

Not deploying the complete Crimson Star Battle Body, resisting an eighth-rank Black Spirit Master’s attack is indeed quite difficult. Nie Kong thought, his eyes flicking toward the deep pit several meters away. He then chuckled playfully, "Elder Ye, still able to speak?"

"Nie Kong!" After a few seconds, a roar echoed from the pit, and immediately after, Ye Dengwen’s battered figure came into everyone’s view—his robes were shredded, his lean body exposed was covered in dust, and his hair was a tangled mess like a bird’s nest, making him look like a savage who had just stumbled out of the deep mountains.

"Hwa!"

Seeing Ye Dengwen in such a disgraced state, a clamor erupted from the surrounding crowd.

Ye Dengwen had been so thoroughly concussed by Nie Kong's "War God Star Seal" that he was dazed and hadn't even realized Nie Kong had stopped attacking. If Nie Kong hadn't prompted him, he might still be lying in the pit below. Hearing the noise from all sides now, Ye Dengwen’s face instantly flushed a deep purplish-red.

Since beginning his cultivation, Ye Dengwen had met only smooth sailing within the Lingyu Sword Sect. How could he have ever fallen to such a miserable state, especially when his utter humiliation was at the hands of a young man in his twenties? Overwhelmed by shame and indignation, Ye Dengwen’s reason was completely obscured by rage: "Nie Kong, I will kill you!"

With a frantic roar, Ye Dengwen’s eyes burned crimson, and hundreds of giant, inky black sword blades coalesced at his fingertips, sweeping toward Nie Kong in a sky-obscuring torrent.

"Do you still have the capability for that?"

Nie Kong scoffed, his body instantly enveloped by the blades, the pangs sounding incessantly. A moment later, the world cleared, and Nie Kong’s figure reappeared, completely unharmed—not even a single thread of his clothing was scratched.

"You, you..."

Ye Dengwen spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turning ashen. In truth, Ye Dengwen had sobered up the instant he attacked and realized his conjured sword blades lacked significant power. But seeing Nie Kong standing before him completely unscathed was still something he found difficult to accept.

Nie Kong understood this well; otherwise, in a situation where he was hesitant to use the complete "Crimson Star Battle Body," he would have already dodged. Despite Ye Dengwen being an eighth-rank Black Spirit Master, if he could still pose a threat after taking ten "War God Star Seals," then he wouldn't be human, but a god!

"Hahahaha..."

Laughter suddenly broke out, and a figure walked over—it was the handsome middle-aged man from the Duntian Sect. "Elders, we enter the Ghost Domain to eliminate the Nether Beasts; there is no need to let temporary anger harm the harmony between our sects. Come, Elder Ye, this is a high-grade 'Mystic Heaven Great Dragon Pill' refined personally by our sect's Pill King. One pill will completely cure your injuries. Elder Nie Kong, although your secret technique is miraculous, you must have also expended considerable Nether Power. Why not take a good rest and prepare for tomorrow's Beast Tide as well."

"Thank you, Elder Mo Yu."

Ye Dengwen accepted the "Mystic Heaven Great Dragon Pill" and swallowed it, letting out a long breath. He fixed Nie Kong with a venomous glare, then snorted coldly, "Let's go!"

Ye Dengwen had long since sobered up and knew that even if he possessed the strength to kill Nie Kong, he absolutely could not attack in public. Otherwise, the Lingyu Sword Sect and the Zhan Clan would truly enter a mortal feud. If the Zhan Clan went berserk, even the Lingyu Sword Sect might find it hard to resist their might.

However, leaving in such disgrace was something Ye Dengwen couldn't bring himself to do. Just as he was struggling internally, Elder Mo Yu of the Duntian Sect appeared, providing him with a perfect exit. How could he not seize the opportunity to step down gracefully? But the rage burning in his chest was not extinguished by the "Mystic Heaven Great Dragon Pill"; instead, it burned even fiercer.

"Eighth-rank Black Spirit Master, nothing more than that."

Nie Kong murmured softly, yet everyone around heard him clearly. Ye Dengwen’s body trembled, and he finally turned back. Meanwhile, the disciples of the Lingyu Sword Sect shot angry glances at Nie Kong, looking as if they wished they could tear him to shreds.

Seeing this, Nie Kong chuckled inwardly.

He had deliberately said that to provoke Ye Dengwen. If Ye Dengwen hadn't flown into a frenzy, how could Nie Kong find a chance to fish in troubled waters and casually slip away from the sight of that Zhan Clan expert? Of course, in Nie Kong’s mind, he held no trace of contempt for Ye Dengwen. The reason he could beat Ye Dengwen into a state of helplessness relied entirely on the element of surprise, coupled with the marvels of the "Crimson Star Battle Body" and the "War God Star Seal." If he were to spar with Ye Dengwen again, even if Nie Kong could win, it wouldn't be this easily.

"Elder Nie Kong is indeed a genius of the Zhan Clan; meeting you is truly better than hearing about you. When Elder Nie Kong breaks through to the eighth rank, perhaps even a ninth-rank Black Spirit Master won't be your match," Mo Yu pretended not to hear Nie Kong's remark, chuckling heartily and saying loudly.

"Oh? Elder Mo Yu, who is she?" Nie Kong suddenly pointed to a beautiful woman standing behind Mo Yu. The woman looked about eighteen or nineteen, with a slender waist and prominent hips, maturely alluring. Especially her skin, which was as fair and delicate as freshly churned bean curd. Seeing Nie Kong look at her, the woman smiled sweetly, like a rose blooming, making the surrounding world seem to lose its color; she was intoxicatingly charming.

"Her name is Mo Xinyue; she is my niece. Not only is she beautiful, but her talent is exceptional; she is currently at the peak of the sixth rank. Elder Nie Kong, if you are interested in Xinyue, I can help arrange things between you two—marrying such a fine husband, I imagine she absolutely wouldn't refuse," Mo Yu said with great enthusiasm.

"Oh? Haha."

Nie Kong replied dismissively, but his eyes flickered toward the retreating Lingyu Sword Sect group. When Mo Yu first appeared, Nie Kong had noticed a problem: Ye Qiance kept glancing at Mo Xinyue, who was following behind Mo Yu, his gaze filled with tender affection.

Nie Kong had initially been curious and asked casually, but when Mo Yu mentioned arranging a match between him and Mo Xinyue, Ye Qiance suddenly turned back; the face that had just regained a touch of color turned deathly pale. Seeing Mo Xinyue not even spare him a glance but instead smile at Nie Kong, his expression became intensely furious. Although the entire sequence lasted only a fleeting moment, Nie Kong still caught a glimpse of something significant.

Perhaps the one truly testing him was this Elder Mo Yu from the Duntian Sect, and Ye Qiance was merely a pawn being utilized.

Mo Yu smiled, "Elder Nie Kong, you might as well consider it carefully. A marriage alliance between the Zhan Clan and the Duntian Sect will surely become a timeless, beautiful tale passed down through the Nether Lands."

"Uh... I'll consider it later. Elder Mo, I still need to cultivate; I won't chat with you any longer," Nie Kong smiled and walked toward an open space not far away. Seeing that Nie Kong hadn't agreed to Mo Yu's suggestion, Zhan Qingzhu and the others secretly breathed a sigh of relief and subconsciously followed behind Nie Kong.

"..."

Watching the Zhan Clan members depart, Mo Yu’s smile remained, but his eyes flickered incessantly. Mo Xinyue, walking quietly behind him, stared with sparkling eyes at Nie Kong's receding figure, lost in thought.

The farcical fight concluded, and the area around the small edifice returned to tranquility, with only the distant roars of the Nether Beasts left echoing in the world.

Returning to his spot, Nie Kong sat down cross-legged. The seeds had been sown; he wondered if they would sprout in five days. If they didn't, he would have to find another way.

"Hoo!"

Nie Kong let out a soft breath, and his mind instantly quieted.

Zhan Qingzhu and the others sat nearby, quietly closing the distance to Nie Kong.

Time flowed on, and the night gradually enveloped the Ghost Domain.

Tents were set up around the edifice, their interiors illuminated by the soft glow emanating from various precious gems. People continuously entered their tents to rest before facing the Beast Tide at dawn the next day. In this Ghost Domain, every morning, large numbers of Nether Beasts would charge the seals—this was the Beast Tide. However, the strength of these Nether Beasts was generally weak, mostly below the fifth rank, with very few reaching the sixth. When the Beast Tide struck, it was the perfect time for the young disciples of the various sects to hone their skills.