And the lofty, elegant smile on Gao Yi’s face grew even more perverse. “What should be done about this? I, Gao Yi, would never be one to betray trust. Ah, I almost forgot—I still have this rare treasure on me. Xinran, you’ve studied thousands of texts at the Linhai Academy. Do you know the demonic refining techniques of the Ancient Desolate Demon Sect? Pouring the resentful soul of the recently departed into an object to forge a Miaoxiang Tianmo—a marvelous form demon—to infuse artifacts with spirit. My Seven Immortals Ring is currently short one heavenly demon. Your current state is the perfect material. You were already a Spirit Master with potent soul force, and you hate me to the bone; it’s impossible to simply let you go. Becoming the spirit for this artifact, staying by my side for all eternity, never to be parted?”

As his voice faded, Gong Xinran’s body settled back into stillness.

In Zong Shou’s chest, there was neither grief nor joy, neither anger nor hatred; he merely watched from the sidelines. Only the chill in his eyes was profound, his killing intent as sharp as a blade!

Gao Yi was mid-sentence when a sharp whistle drifted from beyond the mountain. Surprise flickered in his eyes. “So Elder Mi has arrived too. He is a Xiantian realm master; why risk coming to the foot of the Corpse Demon Mountain?”

Muttering with slight confusion, Gao Yi casually retrieved a bracelet from his sleeve. He tossed it sideways, flinging it toward Qi Nu standing nearby.

“This woman holds some small measure of affection for me; it would be improper for me to handle this directly. Qi Nu, you once studied some soul-binding techniques. You will bind her soul shortly and bring her down the mountain for me. If there is any mistake, you will not be spared lightly!”

The voice was cold enough to freeze marrow, followed by a burst of chilling laughter. “If the rest of you are willing, you may feel free to torment her. While the woman’s looks are somewhat lacking, her figure is truly excellent! I know several of you have secretly practiced vital-essence absorption techniques; feel free to use them at will. The greater her pain and resentment, the stronger the quality of the Miaoxiang Tianmo will be. The future of my Seven Immortals Ring depends on you. However, remember—you must be back down before the midnight hour—”

The eyes of Qi Nu and the others immediately brightened slightly, and their gazes toward Gong Xinran took on a different hue.

Zong Shou remained perched on the branch, casting a cold glance at the departing Gao Yi. Then, he flapped his wings once more and soared into the air.

A flash of electric light, and in a single breath, he traversed tens of thousands of zhang.

Returning to the interior of the cave, as he neared his own body, the feeling of exhaustion and weakness vanished without a trace.

Yet, he still surged into the Shenxiao acupoint, forcing his consciousness back into his physical form. When he opened his eyes, Zong Shou slammed a fist onto the ground. The colossal strength actually shattered the bedrock beneath him!

His fury somewhat tempered, Zong Shou used the momentum to leap up, darting outward like a bolt of lightning. Little Jin, who had been gnawing on the Thunder Luan egg, was momentarily bewildered.

After a brief hesitation, it crushed the remaining shell fragments, enveloped its entire body around them, and then leaped fiercely, landing on Zong Shou’s shoulder.

Chu Xue was equally perplexed and could only activate her elevation technique, struggling to keep up behind him. Yet, the closer she got, the more alarmed she became.

For some unknown reason, the aura surrounding Zong Shou now seemed even more terrifying than the Grade Six spirit beasts she had previously encountered.

In her memory, not only was Zhao Yanran far inferior, but even Lei Dong seemed slightly less imposing.

It wasn't a matter of lesser presence, but the dangerous aura was bone-chilling—like a hibernating ferocious serpent, radiating a murderous intent that instinctively invoked dread.

Zong Shou initially traveled using the Wind-Walking Spirit Bone. After a moment, he grew impatient, cast it aside, unleashed his full form, and took a sudden step forward.

Electric light flared beneath his feet, and his body trailed streams of whistling sound, moving like lightning across the massive ravines between cliffs, tearing through the dense forests of Corpse Demon Mountain.

His vital energy surged, and the qi channels in his dual meridians visibly bulged. His stabilized Xiantian True Essence erupted once more, and even his very bones emitted a grating sound under the extreme speed.

Zong Shou seemed oblivious. His gaze was as cold as a mountain spring. Almost no other thought remained in his mind; his feet never paused, driven only by the need to accelerate, and accelerate further!

Behind him, Chu Xue was stunned once more. Zong Shou, whom she had been gradually catching up to, had just pulled dozens of body lengths ahead in that instant.

He roared through the forest like a gale.

She nearly froze in place. She had only ever witnessed speeds like this from experts at the Martial Ancestor (Wuzong) level.

Zhao Yanran, who had dueled him with the sword months ago, had been impossibly fast, but compared to Zong Shou now, she was not worth mentioning. What kind of body lightness and elevation technique was this, so immensely powerful?

Then, that doubt was cast aside. Chu Xue had only one thought occupying her mind: what on earth could have driven Zong Shou to such explosive rage?

Over the past few months, even when humiliated by Liang Miaotzi atop Danling Mountain, or forced into a duel by Zhao Yanran, Zong Shou had always remained calm, composed, and unruffled.

She had never seen the Young Master like this before.

The steep mountain slope rose four thousand zhang. Normally, this ascent would require several hours at the least.

Zong Shou covered the distance to the enchanting peach grove in only half an kè (a quarter of an hour).

His clothes were drenched with sweat, his stamina nearly depleted, several fractures in the bones of his feet, and his chest and abdomen roiling with internal qi, suffering severe internal injuries. Even the Wind-Walking Spirit Bone on his body was completely ruined.

Zong Shou paid no heed, breathing lightly, forcing himself forward step by step.

He could watch the life and death of others with detachment; he could sacrifice lives carelessly to climb to the peak of martial arts. Even if his hands were stained with blood and countless lives were taken, he would not hesitate! But this one time, he could not remain impassive.

He only hoped he was not too late.

Mustering his strength to take a dozen more steps, the scene he had witnessed in his Thunder Luan form reappeared before his eyes.

Gong Xinran was still pinned to a peach tree, Qi Nu was nearby drawing a sealing formation, and the others were still watching idly.

However, at this moment, they all stared over in shock.

Zong Shou felt a release in his spirit, his body swaying as if about to collapse. In the next second, he forced himself to stand firm and slowly walked toward the group.

Qi Nu was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with a smirk. “Isn’t this the Young Lord of Qiantian Mountain? He still hasn't come down? Perhaps he’s been following all along? Let me guess—does Young Lord Zong have feelings for this woman? Rushing over in such a hurry means you want to save her?”

Gong Xinran also lifted her head, gazing over with a vacant, lost expression. Consciousness slowly returned to her eyes, which then filled with panic and anxiety, laced with a hint of reproach. Her breath was faint. “Junior Brother, what are you doing here? Go back! You are the Young Lord of Qiantian Mountain; they won't dare touch you! Listen to your Senior Sister; your meridians are not open, your soul sea is incomplete—you can't deal with them—”

“Go back?”

Qi Nu let out a short laugh. “That won't do. If we hadn't known the situation, we might have let him leave. But since he stumbled upon this, Young Master Yi must deal with him personally. Although the Demon King of Qiantian Mountain is likely dead, this Young Lord's status is special; we still must be cautious!”

Gong Xinran’s expression froze. Qi Nu then suddenly flashed a sinister smile. “Oh, right, Young Lord, if you truly like her, I can grant your wish. Truthfully, none of us are particularly interested in this woman—”

He stopped speaking halfway through. Zong Shou was gazing over calmly. His icy eyes were now filled with mocking disdain. His refined features were covered in a wild, unrestrained look she had never seen before.

He felt a figure flicker momentarily before a hand, hard as an iron clamp, suddenly seized his neck.

With a sharp squeeze, countless streams of crimson fluid erupted and sprayed outward!