The black dot grew ever smaller, finally vanishing into the distant horizon. "We can't catch him now." An elder of the Plume Sword Sect hovered in the void, letting out a sigh of futility.

For Dark Nether Masters within the dominion of a Nether Source sect, the sixth rank allowed for the casting of the "Floating Technique," and the ninth rank permitted unrestricted flight anywhere.

However, employing such means demanded a terrifying rate of Nether Power consumption.

Even a peak ninth-rank expert could not sustain it indefinitely.

In this regard, Dark Nether Masters could never compare to Flying Nether Beasts.

Since they were titled "Flying Nether Beasts," flight was their instinct; especially ninth-rank Flying Nether Beasts, which could soar day and night for several days without rest.

Nie Kong’s black eagle had reached the pinnacle of the ninth rank.

To outpace him in flight, one would need someone on the level of the Grand Evolution Spirit Venerable or Zhan Xinzi. "So, we just give up like this?" The other elders also halted; having chased relentlessly for so long, they were beginning to feel the strain. "We absolutely cannot give up!" Ye Xiantian hissed through clenched teeth.

Now, he finally understood the state he’d been reduced to by that slap from Nie Kong.

Losing his teeth was one thing, but the loss of an ear and an eye made him wish the ground would swallow him whole.

The Sect Master of a Super-Class Sect reduced to such a state—if this news spread, he, a peak ninth-rank expert, would become a laughingstock across the entire Nether Lands.

How could he swallow such humiliation? "Up ahead should be Dongyang Mountain; there’s a High-Rank Sect there.

We’ll stop there and inquire if they saw Nie Kong passing through.

That bastard, I must capture him and tear him limb from limb!" Ye Xiantian’s face was dark as still water, his remaining eye swollen crimson. "Sect Master…" An elder opened his mouth, but ultimately held back his words.

Seeing Ye Xiantian descending toward the ground, the others quickly accelerated and followed suit.

They knew that the Sect Master’s hatred for Nie Kong was a chasm too deep for the entire Nether Sea to fill.

Advising him to give up would be like adding fuel to the fire.

Now, the six elders could only hope that the Dark Nether Masters on Dongyang Mountain might spot Nie Kong’s trail… … "That place should be the Plume Sword Sect." High in the air, Nie Kong gazed at the massive mountain range roughly two thousand li away, a slight smile gracing his lips.

The reason he wanted to visit the Plume Sword Sect to collect some interest—besides making them pay a price—was also to issue a warning to others contemplating hunting him, making them more hesitant in their actions.

Of course, there was another crucial reason: among all the Super-Class Sects, the Plume Sword Sect was one of the few currently lacking a supreme powerhouse like Zhan Xinzi.

This information had been inadvertently disclosed by Zhan Baisong and was undoubtedly accurate. "Time for me to shine, grandma." Qingyue popped out from Nie Kong’s chest, followed closely by Qingyou and Xiangxiang. "Qingyue, you handle breaking through the Plume Sword Sect's illusion.

Xiangxiang, you search for medicinal herbs.

Qingyou, the crucial task of bringing everything out falls to you." Nie Kong smiled as he assigned tasks to the three little ones.

Among all Super-Class Sects, it was rumored that only the Zhan Clan and the Escaping Heaven Sect lacked illusory concealment; others possessed it.

Since Qingyue was proficient in illusionary arts, guiding them was the most suitable role.

After all, no matter how potent the Plume Sword Sect's illusion, it couldn't possibly surpass the white mists set up by the Grand Evolution Spirit Venerable in the Ghost Domain.

Even if Qingyue couldn't fully dismantle it, safely guiding Xiangxiang and Qingyou through should not be an issue.

As for Xiangxiang, no one in the entire Nether Lands could surpass its sensitivity to medicinal herbs; even Nie Kong, its master, felt inadequate in this regard—the mission to search for the Plume Sword Sect's Nether Pills and herbs was reserved for it.

Qingyou’s true form was the "Prison Fire Nether Spring," her body capable of shifting size.

No matter how many herbs Xiangxiang found, she could stash them all away in one go.

With the three little ones coordinating, Nie Kong figured they had a natural talent for mischief. "Nie Kong, what about you?" After hearing Nie Kong’s arrangements, Qingyou nodded repeatedly, and Xiangxiang happily swayed its small flower bud.

Only Qingyue seemed slightly disgruntled at being ordered around by Nie Kong, humming as she retorted. "Me? Naturally, I’ll be outside with the Spectral Soul to draw fire for you all." Nie Kong stroked his chin, sporting a sly grin. "Even if this Plume Sword Sect is undermanned, they should still have one or two ninth-rank experts.

If we don't lure them out, you and Qingyou will be too close to them and might be detected.

Once entangled, it will certainly waste precious time, which is unfavorable for us.

Also, Qingyue, Qingyou, you two must also try to conceal your auras and not rush in so recklessly.

The Plume Sword Sect will certainly have many eighth-rank masters; don't let them spot you immediately." "Understood!" This time, Qingyue readily nodded. "Begin the operation!" Nie Kong took a deep breath.

The moment his words fell, the three little ones—Qingyue, Xiangxiang, and Qingyou—formed a line and leaped toward the ground.

The Spectral Soul Eagle King spread its wings, suddenly accelerating, rushing toward the opposite mountain range like an arrow loosed from a bow. "Caw!" Still hundreds of meters from the mountain range, the Spectral Soul Eagle King let out a piercing shriek.

Its sound, capable of piercing metal and shattering stone, echoed for over ten li, instantly alerting the entire Plume Sword Sect.

Immediately afterward, a powerful aura flooded heaven and earth, almost enveloping the entire mountain range. "Is that… the cry of a Nether Beast?" "Eh, did I hear that right?" "A Nether Beast! How could a Nether Beast appear at our Sword Sect?" "…" A ripple of confusion washed over everyone simultaneously.

Some paused their cultivation, others emerged from their residences, all looking up.

Then, they saw a black shadow descending from the high sky, rapidly enlarging in their pupils.

In just a few seconds, the full form of a gigantic black eagle was revealed.

There was someone on the eagle! The next moment, everyone was startled again.

Judging solely by the aura they had sensed moments ago, that black giant eagle was incredibly powerful.

To think such a Nether Beast could be controlled by a person! Nether Beasts in the Nether Lands were exceptionally arrogant, especially powerful Flying Nether Beasts, which were practically impossible for Dark Nether Masters to control. "Who goes there?" A loud shout suddenly rang throughout the Plume Sword Sect, followed by two figures bursting forth from the Myriad Sword Pavilion on the mountainside, rocketing into the sky like lightning.

One was slender, carrying a long sword on his back, clad in white robes with a white beard, exuding an ethereal grace.

The other was also wrapped in a white robe, but his physique was extraordinarily sturdy and imposing.

These were the two elders left guarding the Plume Sword Sect, Ye Ziwei and Ye Zihao—a pair of identical twin brothers. "I was bored, so I came to the Plume Sword Sect for some fun.

You all don't seem very welcoming?" A mocking laugh drifted down from the sky. "Insolent!" Ye Zihao's face turned icy, his gaze like two unsheathed sharp swords, revealing undeniable sharpness. "You think possessing a ninth-rank Nether Beast allows you to cause trouble at the Plume Sword Sect? You truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth! Today, I will discipline you properly on behalf of your elders!" "A ninth-rank Flying Nether Beast?" Ye Ziwei scanned the figure seated atop the black eagle, his expression suddenly shifting in disbelief.

He exclaimed, "Nie Kong? You are that Nie Kong who stole the Spirit Venerable's 'Roving Glance Grass' incarnation? The 'Blood Slaughter Edict' has been issued; instead of hiding, you actually show your face at our Plume Sword Sect.

You certainly have guts; even I can’t help but admire you a bit." "You have some discernment." Nie Kong laughed heartily.

Hearing his elder brother's words, Ye Zihao was momentarily stunned, but then he burst into ecstatic joy: "Nie Kong, our Sect Master is rushing to the White Tower Sect to apprehend you.

I didn't expect you to sneak over here.

But since you delivered yourself right to our doorstep, how could I refuse such a generous gift!" As he finished speaking, Ye Zihao roared ferociously, "Elder Brother, attack!" Before his voice fully faded, Ye Zihao seemed to transform into a giant sword, charging toward Nie Kong.

In an instant, the sky above the mountain range rippled subtly like disturbed water, and a streak of white light tore through the illusion, hurtling toward Nie Kong at high speed, wrapped in incomparably fierce sword intent.

Behind Ye Zihao, Ye Ziwei followed closely. "Want to accept a gift? That depends on whether you have the ability!" Nie Kong roared with laughter.

With a flick of his mind, the Spectral Soul Eagle King turned back, and the moment it reversed course, the "War God Star Seal" flickered out repeatedly, raining down upon Ye Zihao and Ye Ziwei.

The triple "Layered Seal" consumed too much power; after his battle with Ye Xiantian, Nie Kong had only used it once, leaving the three Nether Stars somewhat dimmed.

Fortunately, the Nether Stars had recovered during the journey to the Plume Sword Sect, but Nie Kong currently only intended to lure the two away, so there was no need for such drastic measures. "Is this the 'War God Star Seal' mentioned in the 'Blood Slaughter Edict'? Nothing special." Easily shattering the golden light with a single sword strike, Ye Zihao sneered and swiftly pursued.

As for Ye Ziwei, after breaking the "War God Star Seal," he raised his hand and grasped the hilt of the sword on his back.

The moment his long sword was drawn with a clang, the ambient temperature seemed to drop by over ten degrees instantly. "Ssssh!" Ye Ziwei lightly waved his sword, and a beam of chilling, inky-black sword energy instantly shot past Ye Zihao's side, hurtling toward Nie Kong.

Where it passed, even the void seemed to freeze.

Sensing the bone-chilling sword energy behind him, Nie Kong felt a slight surprise, but his movements did not pause in the slightest.

He abruptly raised his right palm and slapped backward without turning his head.

A ball of blazing red light shot out from the fire seed in his palm, surging to meet the icy, inky-black sword energy. "Nether Fire?" Ye Ziwei’s lips curled into a mocking smile, but less than a second later, his smile stiffened.

The moment the sword energy touched the ball of Nether Fire, it vanished like ice under the fierce sun, its smugness instantly gone, having caused Nie Kong no harm whatsoever.

Ye Zihao was momentarily stunned, then suddenly recalled the news of the Zhan Clan escorting Nie Kong toward the Nether Sea, instantly realizing: "That’s not ordinary Nether Fire; that's the Nether Fire from the depths of the Nether Sea Fire Source!" Hearing this, Ye Ziwei's eyes flickered slightly, but he noticed that in the moment they paused, Nie Kong was already hundreds of meters away. "Catch him!" The two hesitated not at all, vanishing like two streaks of white light.

But just then, three small, exquisite figures—one blue, one red, and one purple—slipped out from the surface illusion covering the mountain body, quietly heading toward the summit.

The deep penetration of the three little thieves caused no disturbance within the Plume Sword Sect whatsoever… … : Second update delivered, a bit late..

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