The moment Ye Jingyu took that step, Bing Ming felt a terrifying aura pressing down upon him—an oppressive force that felt not like a person, nor a mountain, but the very heavens and earth converging to crush him, instantly extinguishing any thought of resistance…

What an impossibly potent aura this was, a terrifying presence that ought not to exist in this world? A God? A Demon? Or perhaps those ethereal Immortals? Bing Ming even felt that even a true God could not command such overwhelming majesty… At this moment, his mind went blank; he stood dumbly, like an ant, awaiting the arrival of Ye Jingyu’s single, extended finger…

“Puchi…” Before the fingertip even made contact, he watched as the entire finger ruptured, sprays of blood blossoming outwards, appearing strikingly vivid in Bing Ming’s sight… Immediately following, a beam of golden light shot forth from that hand, striking directly upon his Iron Sword—a blade he had tempered for countless years, incorporating so much resilient metal—which immediately shattered into iron filings scattering everywhere. That terrifying golden radiance then pierced straight through his left shoulder… “Chi…” A sharp arrow of blood jetted out…

Bing Ming’s mouth hung wide open; he stared at the unfolding scene in utter disbelief. He truly could not fathom that such devastating power existed in the mortal realm? Although he hadn't yet reached the Martial Saint realm, relying on his years of comprehension and arduous cultivation, he possessed the strength to contend with seven or eight Grandmasters simultaneously. Yet, facing this power, he hadn't even mustered the will to fight back? The instant this power manifested, his body, his very will, had utterly collapsed…

Bing Ming simply stared blankly at Ye Jingyu, incapable of questioning, incapable of tending to his wound, incapable of speech, or even knowing what action to take… Hei Ming Shixuan was equally stunned, and beneath her shock lay a deep-seated terror. A seal within her body began to stir restlessly upon sensing this power, nearly shattering. This was undeniably a force fundamentally incompatible with the world’s natural order… As for Gongsun Xiangyi, there was no need to elaborate. She had only reached the Innate Martial Master level; against such might, she was less than dust, rendering comprehension impossible. She didn't even register the concept of fear.

Even the little flower hanging around her neck trembled faintly—not from fear of the terrifying power, but because the aura Ye Jingyu had exuded in that fleeting moment felt like a supreme God-King, disdainful of everything, utterly dominant…

“You lost…” Ye Jingyu’s face was deathly pale, a trace of blood welling at the corner of his mouth. Indeed, this power should not exist in this world. The Yuan Bead that Hei Ming Yingjie and Hei Ming Shixuan had made him consume only saw a tiny fraction converted into his True Qi and Soul Power, causing his realm to skyrocket. However, the vast majority transformed into Overlord Primordial Force (Bayuan Li), and even that fraction felt like a single drop in the ocean, revealing the terrifying magnitude of the Bayuan Li… Even though he had now reached the fifth level, making him stronger than ordinary Masters and even Grandmasters, facing this ferocious Bayuan Li, he still possessed no resistance whatsoever… His finger was shattered, and the internal damage was unknown, yet he remained standing purely through sheer, tenacious will…

“I lost…” Bing Ming felt bewildered, helpless, and incredulous, yet he accepted the reality. He understood that had Ye Jingyu intended it, that single strike could have pierced his heart… “Shixuan, help me clear out everything here…” After saying this, Ye Jingyu staggered backward… “Big Brother…” “Young Master…” Hei Ming Shixuan and Gongsun Xiangyi cried out almost simultaneously, but Shixuan was a step faster, catching the falling Ye Jingyu… Gongsun Xiangyi rushed to his side next, gripping his wrist to check his injuries, her expression shifting drastically. How many meridians inside him were ruptured? How could such severe damage be healed? Hei Ming Shixuan also sensed the extent of Ye Jingyu’s internal injuries but revealed a relieved expression. Handing Ye Jingyu over to Gongsun Xiangyi, she retrieved Ye Jingyu’s Qiankun Bracelet and began gathering all the weapons and martial arts manuals in the cave… Although these items seemed insignificant to her, if Big Brother wished for them, she would comply. Little Shixuan’s thoughts were often very simple…

Bing Ming watched Hei Ming Shixuan methodically collecting the armaments with a dry mouth, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but mindful of his vow, he maintained his silence. Still, he knew the move Ye Jingyu just used was a tactic that injured the enemy by sacrificing a thousand to wound the foe by eight hundred. Why would he employ such a costly method? Was it simply to force his submission?

At this moment, a slender, fair, and delicate little hand appeared before him, holding a pouch of medicinal powder. Bing Ming looked up to see Gongsun Xiangyi, one hand supporting Ye Jingyu and the other offering the powder, her gaze fixed on his left shoulder wound… “Thank you…” Bing Ming finally recalled the injury on his shoulder, offered a word of thanks to Gongsun Xiangyi, took the powder she offered, and pressed a finger to his shoulder to staunch the flow of blood before sprinkling the powder over it. A sharp sting followed, yet he felt the wound slowly begin to mend… A fresh wave of contemplation swept through his heart…

Ye Jingyu had already lost consciousness. In his hazy state, he only felt his head resting on something incredibly soft and yielding—a sensation that was profoundly comforting. A faint, sweet fragrance reached his nostrils, creating a sensation of exquisite pleasure and deep ease…

After Hei Ming Shixuan had completely emptied the cave of its contents, Bing Ming bowed three times toward the cave entrance before departing with Ye Jingyu and the others, leaving the cavern where he had lived for decades… Since he had agreed to Ye Jingyu’s challenge, he would naturally honor the wager. Besides, with everything plundered, there was no reason for him to remain…

The group walked out of the Hundred Burials Valley. When the others saw the unconscious and grievously wounded Ye Jingyu being supported by Gongsun Xiangyi, looks of astonishment crossed their faces. However, neither Hei Ming Shixuan nor the others offered any explanation. They understood this must be Ye Jingyu’s deepest secret; since he hadn't spoken of it, they certainly would not…

Due to Ye Jingyu’s injuries, the party did not immediately resume their journey. Instead, they found an open area outside the gorge and set up camp. Currently, the three hundred Martial Masters had suffered minimal losses, supplemented by two Grandmasters, a master poisoner, a Sacred Beast, two companions who paid no heed even to Sacred Beasts, and an unfathomably profound little girl. This combined strength was more than sufficient to contend with any faction, leaving them with no need for worry… Even traversing the perilous Tian Gang Mountain Range caused them no concern whatsoever…