Huo Zhongguang, his body shattered, nevertheless saw a phantom shadow of blood flicker and vanish amidst a screen of dark blood, sneaking toward the entrance of the Demon Realm.

"Soul Transformation Shadow Art! Stop him quickly!"

Master Wule was deeply alarmed. He formed a lotus seal with both hands, and instantly, millions of pure white lotus flowers descended from the heavens, shining with dazzling crystal light, intending to block the blood shadow's path.

It was, however, a step too late. The shadow dodged sideways and slipped into the chaos surrounding the entrance to the Demon Realm.

Master Wule, unable to pursue, sighed in resignation.

"Such is the will of Heaven!"

The other three exchanged glances, especially Elder Chiyuan, who was furious. Four masters of the Condensing Elixir stage had set up an inescapable net, expending immense effort, only for the wicked disciple to escape into the Demon Realm, losing face in the process—what a colossal waste of time!

Li Hu'er seethed with resentment. "It's all the Sect Leader's indecision! If we had captured this degenerate disciple earlier, one person would have sufficed! He just wouldn't believe it, forcing us to set up this formation, only to have the wretch exploit the loophole! This Sect Leader is truly..."

"Junior Brother Li!"

Elder Chiyuan’s face was smeared with blood, but his demeanor had settled. Though they failed to capture Huo Zhongguang, the doubts in his heart were resolved, and his inner demon purged. He now stood even more imposing and solemn.

He glanced at Master Wule, his expression darkening, and spoke in a low voice, "One must not speak ill of the Sect Leader..."

Li Hu'er seemed deeply respectful of this senior martial brother, the leader of the Red Stone Peak lineage. Having been reprimanded, though still grumbling, he fell silent. The other elder in green robes, naturally taciturn, remained expressionless and said nothing.

Having achieved nothing, the four did not linger in lamentation. Since the matter was done, they, as cultivators, knew that dwelling on it was useless. After exchanging brief farewells, they dispersed.

Taking advantage of their departure, Feng Zikang slightly opened his eyes, offering a mysterious smile. Several streaks of dark light silently burrowed into his Dantian.

Master Wule returned, carrying Feng Zikang, who was still feigning unconsciousness, back to the small bamboo grove.

Feng Zikang slowly awoke to find himself lying on his side on a bamboo couch. Master Wule sat composedly before him, his expression gentle.

"Ah, Master..."

He struggled to sit up, but Master Wule raised a hand to stop him.

"Your internal organs are injured. The Heavenly Serpent Blood-Seizing Thorn is profoundly evil and venomous; you must rest and recover properly..."

On the nearby table, the Heavenly Serpent Blood-Seizing Thorn pulsed with a sinister glow, resembling a venomous snake poised to strike, radiating latent danger even in its stillness.

"This artifact is said to be forged from the tooth of the Heavenly Serpent King; it specializes in breaking Buddhist divine powers. This old monk was careless and has caused you injury!"

Master Wule’s white eyebrows trembled, showing profound apology.

"I have already administered three Minor Rejuvenation Pills. The damage to your lungs and meridians will certainly heal. Here are twelve more Minor Rejuvenation Pills," he said, taking out a jade bottle from his robes and placing it on the table. "Take one every day at noon to nourish your vital energy; you will surely resist the demonic nature of the Heavenly Serpent."

Feng Zikang rejoiced inwardly. These Minor Rejuvenation Pills were sacred Buddhist medicine, akin to the military school's Genesis Pills—capable of regenerating flesh and reviving the dead. Such treasures were best acquired in abundance.

As for the supposed demonic nature of the Heavenly Serpent, he paid it no mind. In all the world, who could possess a heavier demonic nature than himself?

Master Wule turned his gaze to the Heavenly Serpent Blood-Seizing Thorn on the table and sighed, shaking his head.

"I never expected Huo Zhongguang to possess such a demonic artifact. Bearing demonic divine powers, he must have secretly inherited a lineage of the demonic path. Now, having entered the Demon Realm via the Soul Transformation Shadow Art, his return will surely herald a great catastrophe for the righteous path!"

He appeared deeply troubled and anxious.

Feng Zikang feigned shock and alarm. "Master! How? How could this be? The four Coalescing Elixir seniors formed the Ten Directions Ambush Grand Array, yet Senior Brother Huo... Huo Zhongguang still escaped into the Demon Realm? Are demonic cultivation techniques truly that powerful?"

Master Wule felt a wave of awkwardness. The idea had actually been his own. He never anticipated that the combined might of four Coalescing Elixir experts and the Ten Directions Ambush Array woven from three thousand feet of dark gold thread could be breached by Huo Zhongguang.

Although Elders Chi and the other two said nothing, they surely harbored resentment. Moreover, concealing this from the Military School's Sect Master, Yuan Buhuan, would inevitably strain the relationship between White Horse Temple and Dragon Tiger Mountain—this was certainly not what his master intended for him to achieve here.

Contemplating this, his agitation grew, and even his usual meditative calm showed flaws, causing him to entirely miss Feng Zikang's sinister smile.

The east was just beginning to show the first hint of dawn. Master Wule let out a long sigh, rose, and picked up the Heavenly Serpent Blood-Seizing Thorn from the table.

"This object is utterly wicked. This old monk intended to destroy it, but the Heavenly Serpent's tooth is incomparably hard; only an object of superior material can shatter it. I lack a suitable sharp weapon, so I must take it back to the White Horse Temple for proper disposal..."

This bizarre demonic artifact could casually pierce even the indestructible defense of the Twenty-Layer Vajra Immovability divine power; it was truly a useful item. Feng Zikang naturally could not bear to let the monk simply take it away. A thought sparked in his mind, and a plan formed.

"Master, my teacher gifted me an iron sword. Though damaged, he said its material is otherworldly," he said, producing the broken blade and handing it to Master Wule. "Master, perhaps you could try it..."

"Oh?" Master Wule took the iron sword. Such an ordinary magic tool did not catch his eye, but a mere glance brought forth astonishment. "This material is indeed extraordinary; this old monk has never seen anything like it!"

He stroked the iron sword for a long moment before nodding. "This blade's quality is unparalleled; it might indeed be able to destroy the Heavenly Serpent Blood-Seizing Thorn. But its body is already cracked; won't you mind if it sustains damage, Benefactor Feng?"

"Where righteousness demands it, why spare a single blade!"

Feng Zikang declared with righteous indignation.

Master Wule nodded, his eyes full of approval, and smiled. "Benefactor Feng is truly one of us. Upholding the righteous path and vanquishing demons in the future will depend on you young people!"

He subtly channeled his magic power. The iron sword instantly bloomed with golden lotuses, layer upon layer, the signature Lotus Wonderful Aspect divine power of the White Horse Temple. The Master shouted, bringing the sword down flat upon the Heavenly Serpent Blood-Seizing Thorn.

"Whoosh!"

What resulted was not the anticipated deafening crash. The iron sword suddenly vibrated, the hundred-refined steel turning pliable as soft silk, tightly coiling around the Heavenly Serpent Blood-Seizing Thorn. With a single swift pull, a blinding radiance erupted, and the dust settled!

Master Wule’s face turned pale. He threw the iron sword away from him, a look of unprecedented fear flashing in his eyes.

"I never strike the nameless guest; I only warm my belly with famous swords!"

"The Heaven-Swallowing Ancient Sword has reappeared in the world!"

Amidst Master Wule’s horrified cry, the Heavenly Serpent Blood-Seizing Thorn had completely lost its radiance, lying quietly on the table like an ordinary stone, utterly devoid of any special quality!