The delicate charm of the young lady was captivating, but alas, she was far too young. Though she had spoken, pretended not to understand, effectively throwing a flirtatious glance at a blind man.

"It's just that the Iron-Faced Man's cultivation is too high; I fear even you, little sister , might not be his match, let alone myself." "How can we eliminate him?"

had pondered this himself for a long time, but he truly had no measure of the Iron-Faced Man's strength and was unwilling to take reckless risks. Since clearly had her own plans, he decided it was best to hear her thoughts first.

"This little sister actually has a stratagem."

Hearing his agreement, smiled brilliantly, like a spring breeze.

The Iron-Faced Man stood silently in a corner of this boundless space, his eyes flickering with reverence and excitement.

This was the scene he had dreamed of, the scene he had strived tirelessly for a hundred years to witness: the genesis of the Profound Realm!

Since his master had passed his Dragon-Tooth Ancient Mirror and notebook to him on his deathbed, his entire effort was no longer directed toward bringing glory to the Sect or elevating the Mount Tai Sect to the Upper Echelon.

Compared to this Profound Realm, what was a mere cultivation Upper Echelon?

It was merely part of the common rabble; they couldn't possibly possess such a vast Profound Realm. Once he became the master of this realm, cultivating within it would lead to astonishing progress daily. Why would he care about some paltry Upper Echelon or the common rabble?

So what if he killed forty-nine sons? He could cultivate to immortality; he could father countless more sons!

His Blood-Fiend Qi surged, permeating this mysterious space, a sensation even and could feel from a distance.

"Let's not approach. If we get close now, this old fellow might just erupt and start killing."

The spot where the Iron-Faced Man stood was the very center of this mysterious space—the nexus of the Profound Realm's spiritual consciousness. Once the magnificent genesis concluded, the Soul of the Profound Realm would reside here. By gaining recognition from the Soul of the Profound Realm, he would inherit the realm's legacy.

Although with his current cultivation, he lacked the power to reconstruct this collapsed Profound Realm—perhaps not even achieving the Core Condensation, Nascent Soul, or even Spirit Transformation stages would grant him that ability.

However, as a Foundation Establishment cultivator controlling such a magnificent and undying Profound Realm, he could essentially avoid the affliction of limited lifespan by hiding within it. Focusing solely on cultivation within, he would inevitably break through bottlenecks and grow ever stronger.

This was akin to the Bliss Pure Land of Buddhism, the Mysterious Void Realm of the Mohists, or the Three Pure Realms of Daoism, but where they hosted thousands or tens of thousands of sect disciples cultivating, he alone occupied the entire Profound Realm. How enormous an advantage was that?

Later, when his power grew, he could establish the rules for this Profound Realm, creating his own lineage capable of contending with the Three Teachings and Nine Schools!

Seeing and keeping their distance, he nodded slightly, appreciating that these two children were sensible. As long as they didn't obstruct his pursuit of the Soul of the Profound Realm, he had no interest in dealing with them now.

After all, once he controlled the Profound Realm, killing them would be as easy as turning his hand.

"With our current strength, can we really scheme against him?"

frowned after hearing 's plan, his heart filled with doubt. Even with 's current strength, formidable as it was, it was still far from sufficient to threaten the Iron-Faced Man. Even if the two of them joined forces for a surprise thunderous strike while he was focused on absorbing the Soul of the Profound Realm, success would be hard-won.

"That's why I want you to enter the secret mansion," countered with a sly smile. "If there were two Foundation Establishment cultivators near him, even if the Iron-Faced Man looked down on us, he might cautiously eliminate one to prevent future trouble. Then little sister would be helpless. But if you are here, our chances increase significantly. If two Foundation Establishment cultivators cooperate in the attack, even if the Iron-Faced Man isn't afraid, he will need to be careful and dispatch them quickly. But those two [referring to the other two potential allies] have low strength; he wouldn't spare them a second thought."

"My strength is indeed low," said, maintaining a humble stance as expected at this moment. But waved her hand and retrieved a jade vial from her embrace, carefully pouring out a blood-red pill.

"Take this right before we attack."

immediately sensed a pungent, violent aura of blood emanating from it and asked suspiciously, "What is this?"

's expression turned solemn. "This was refined by my master over decades of painstaking effort. It is a Pseudo-Foundation Pill; its function is to allow an ordinary person to temporarily establish a Dao Foundation within three breaths."

"What!"

took the pill, astonishment blazing in his eyes. Impossible! How could these superiors possess such a pill?

"Of course, if a mortal swallows it, they will naturally be unable to bear it after three breaths and die from bodily rupture. But you are already in the late stage of Qi Induction. While there will be some side effects, they won't be severe." secretly probed the structure of the pill, a cold sneer forming in his heart.

Severe side effects are not severe!

This so-called Pseudo-Foundation Pill was clearly a crude amalgamation forcefully condensed from the Dao Foundations of thirty-six Foundation Establishment cultivators. Ingesting this would be like stuffing oneself when already full. Even if he miraculously survived, he would likely never have another chance to reach the Foundation Establishment stage!

The Ghost King went to great lengths for today's operation!

This pill might not have been intended for him; it could have been for any of the other four. If one of them were utterly spent but miraculously managed to enter, would undoubtedly have a different explanation to trick him into taking it. This pill acted like a potent aphrodisiac; for a short time, figures like Venerable Kong Chan, Hu Sha, One-Eyed Scholar, or Two-Faced Madam could instantly recover their fighting strength, becoming allies capable of battling the Iron-Faced Man!

But even so, relying on just two people, there was still a fifty percent chance they couldn't handle the Iron-Faced Man.

"Two people aren't enough. What if there are three?"

"Three?"

's expression shifted. "Where does a third person come from? Could it be..."

Could it be that 's master, the Ghost King , had been lurking nearby all along? Impossible—absolutely impossible. Setting aside the fact that only three people could enter this core of the Profound Realm, he couldn't be one of them. Furthermore, along the way, he had used his Formless Heavenly Demon Avatar to scout and had never detected any trace of the Ghost King . If this person hid deeper than he did, his own movements would naturally have been detected. It was illogical that would approach him for consultation.

's mind raced, unable to fathom who else could be present in this core of the Profound Realm.

"Actually, your guess isn't entirely wrong," shook her head with a wry smile. "But you don't need to worry about that. Time is short; let's study a three-person combined attack formation. We must kill the Iron-Faced Man in one blow, or once the pill's effects wear off, we will absolutely not be his match!"

's assessment of the Iron-Faced Man underestimated 's strength by a factor of six or two. This was understandable; who would expect a late-stage Qi Induction cultivator to unleash power that surpassed the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment?

exhaled a breath like orchid fragrance, reciting an incantation softly beside his ear. This was an extremely effective three-person combined striking technique. absorbed it mentally and realized its boundless power, nodding to indicate he had memorized it.

had secretly tested his comprehension ability several times in the past few days and naturally trusted that he could learn it effortlessly. She smiled brightly, gave him a thumbs-up, and motioned for him to contemplate on his own, promising to answer any questions later.

"When the time comes, watch for my signal. As soon as the Iron-Faced Man attaches himself to the Soul of the Profound Realm, take the pill immediately and attack together!"

nodded grimly.

That damned so-called Pseudo-Foundation Pill, he certainly wouldn't take it. With his current strength, he was already capable enough to use this three-person combined technique. The only thing he couldn't comprehend was the identity of that third person! This was something he absolutely had to clarify. With his strength, facing both and another Foundation Establishment cultivator simultaneously wasn't without opportunity, but this lack of clarity left him rife with suspicion.

"Who exactly is that person..."

He was about to ask again when placed an index finger to her lips, gently shushing him. "He's starting!"

The genesis phase of the Profound Realm finally concluded. Now, the sun, moon, and stars materialized. Countless stellar specks condensed into a single point, resembling a wisp of deep blue flame flickering in the space.

The Iron-Faced Man's eyes filled with joy as he reached out and grasped the blue flame.

"Now is the time!"

cried out low, darting away like lightning. followed swiftly but still did not see the third person appear. Only when they reached the Iron-Faced Man did abruptly open her mouth and spew forth a jet of black energy.

"This—this is..."

's face changed dramatically. Within the mass of black energy, a hunched human form was clearly taking shape.

"Ghost Mother!"

suddenly understood where the supposed third person had come from!

The hunched figure within the black energy gradually solidified, appearing as a small middle-aged woman despite being clad in attire resembling a child!

"Ghost King !" the Iron-Faced Man exclaimed in shock, never having expected the Ghost King to appear here.

"What a formidable scheme,"

sighed loudly. The ruthlessness of the Ghost King 's plotting had reached this level! To conceal herself from the Iron-Faced Man's senses, she had actually refined herself into a 'ghost child' and hidden within her disciple's body. This move was utterly beyond expectation! Everyone assumed she hadn't come, but unexpectedly, she had used this method to fool everyone! However, by doing this, she was no longer free; she had become an appendage of her disciple. Since her cultivation was currently higher than 's, it was fine for now. But if 's cultivation surpassed hers one day, she would merely become an accessory—a conscious magical artifact! Did she truly trust her disciple this much?

However, in that flash of lightning between moments, couldn't dwell on such details. Regardless, the greatest enemy at this moment was still the powerful Iron-Faced Man.

The Ghost King and had already assumed their combined attack posture. dared not delay, leaping down to join them in coordinated action.

"Hmph! Ghost King , your scheme is indeed formidable, but do you think you can take my life relying on these two young whelps? You must be too naive!"

's power was already inferior to the others, and as for , the Iron-Faced Man hadn't factored him into his combat strength at all.

"Hehehehe!" A piercing laugh emerged from the mouth of the ghost child transformed from the Ghost King .

"Old monster Iron-Face, stop blustering! Now that you are absorbing the Soul of the Profound Realm, you can only stand still. Can the three of us not kill you?"

"Hmph! Look at your current state! To scheme against me, you debase yourself like this. Do you think you'll win? That this Profound Realm will be yours? I fear you'll only pave the way for your own disciple!"

He naturally sensed the unfavorable situation. Despite his lingering confidence, he couldn't resist verbal provocation.

The Ghost King laughed coldly. "I am not like you, old monster, who could even devour dozens of his own sons. My dutiful disciple is filial and harbors no ill intentions."

Even as she spoke, a flicker of deep-seated apprehension crossed her expression.

"Enough nonsense! Watch out!"

The Ghost King flipped her hands and spat out a stream of black energy. glanced at , checking if he had swallowed the Pseudo-Foundation Pill. nodded to her, indicating he had, and also flipped his hands, shooting out a ray of white light with terrifying momentum. also released a stream of black energy. The three attacks twisted together, striking directly toward the Iron-Faced Man!

"Good lad!"

The Iron-Faced Man finally realized he had underestimated . This boy's power seemed no less than that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet by all appearances, he was clearly only in the Qi Induction stage. Why was this single attack so fierce?

The Ghost King cast an approving glance at . After this boy took the Pseudo-Foundation Pill, the power of this three-person combined technique had indeed increased significantly. Even if other Foundation Establishment masters had attacked together, the result might not have been this perfect. Everything was proceeding exactly as she anticipated!

"Boom!"

The Iron-Faced Man, unable to dodge, roared, mobilizing all his power. Blood energy filled the sky, forming a sanguine firmament around him. This was the divine ability of the Star Extinction Sword Technique propelled by Blood Qi. Although its might was fierce, it couldn't withstand the combined assault of the three. Amidst the loud crash, the blood-red firmament shattered. The Iron-Faced Man staggered twice, and the iron mask on his head broke into several pieces, clattering to the ground!

A single thread of blood trickled down his forehead, his brows etched with unwillingness!

He was unwilling! A hundred years of planning, how could the fruit be so easily snatched away? Were those forty-eight sons eaten in vain? Had all those years of painstaking calculation gone to waste?

"Ghost King , don't think you'll succeed!"

The Iron-Faced Man roared, his entire body enveloped in Blood Qi, his eyes scarlet, spitting blood, his expression grim.

"Even if I die, I won't give you the opportunity!"

He opened his mouth and swallowed the entire mass of blue flame. The Ghost King stamped her foot and shouted: "No! He wants to destroy everything together!"

Before her words faded, the Iron-Faced Man's body violently ruptured, spewing out endless streams of blood plasma, as if intending to drown the entire world!

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