The celestial maiden serving drinks possessed a lithe and exquisite figure, clad in gossamer. Her graceful form was exquisitely displayed, appearing and vanishing like mist, her lips shifting between pout and smile, expressing an untold, subtle charm.

This was no mere illusion; no one knew by what secret arts Mou Canglang had summoned these monstrous immortals and strange spirits, but their skill was undeniable. The wine, too, possessed an intoxicating fragrance, clearly no common vintage. The wine pot, the cups, the jade table—all were objects of elegance, yet they carried a faint aura of menace, leaving one perpetually unsettled.

“Fine wine!”

A sardonic smile touched Feng Zikang’s face. He made no move to accept the cup Mou Canglang offered, merely tapped the air beside him, drawing another cup from the table into his grasp, and drained it in one swallow.

Feng Zikang maintained a distance of some twenty to thirty feet from Mou Canglang.

Mou Canglang’s expression darkened; he lowered his hand, fixing Feng Zikang with a cold stare. “You have already seen through it, boy. Not simple!”

Feng Zikang offered a faint smile. “Senior Brother Mou. You may know well how to kill, but you certainly don’t know much about wine. A wine so delicate in its aroma, yet laced with such potent killing intent—only a fool wouldn't notice!”

“So that’s how it is.”

Mou Canglang let out a bitter laugh, raising his own cup and draining it as well. He clapped his hands, and the two alluring serving maidens vanished instantly, along with the wine pot and the jade table. “No wonder I’ve never cared for such mild wines; there’s a reason for it. But, Brother Zhou, why must you know? Even if you knew I intended to kill you, with your mere Foundation Establishment cultivation, could you possibly resist?” Mou Canglang sneered, “It would be better to remain ignorant. Dying quickly saves one a lot of worry.”

Feng Zikang burst into laughter. “Brother Mou, are you so certain you can kill me?”

Mou Canglang’s eyes widened roundly, as if he had just heard the most ludicrous question imaginable. “Does that even bear asking? Though your cultivation is unique, you are, after all, only at the Foundation Establishment stage. To challenge a Demon Cultivator at the Core Condensation stage—do you truly think you can escape with your life?”

The gap between Foundation Establishment and Core Condensation was a far deeper chasm than that between Qi Induction and Foundation Establishment. The higher one ascended, the more pronounced the effect of the level disparity on strength became, for each advancement represented a qualitative leap in power. Even accumulating numerous profound techniques and magical artifacts was often futile when faced with such a fundamental difference.

There was precedent for a Qi Induction cultivator defeating one at Foundation Establishment. However, never had anyone heard of a Foundation Establishment cultivator overcoming a Core Condensation master.

“So, that means I should turn tail and run?” Feng Zikang’s demeanor was utterly composed, betraying no sign of panic, which left Mou Canglang slightly unsure of his true capabilities. Nonetheless, the fact remained that Core Condensation overwhelmingly suppressed Foundation Establishment—that was beyond doubt.

“Run?”

Mou Canglang scoffed. “I have laid a perfect trap across the surrounding sea expanse. If you manage to escape, that will be your skill!”

Feng Zikang nodded. “Indeed, your preparations are thorough. But Brother Mou, don’t you think this spot is a little too close to Eagle Wing Island? If the Eagle King hears any disturbance and comes to investigate, wouldn’t that be rather inconvenient?”

This point did trouble Mou Canglang. However, his actions today had been hasty, having pursued Feng Zikang relentlessly for fear he might slip away. Moreover, a Core Condensation expert dispatching a Foundation Establishment cultivator usually caused little commotion, so he hadn't given it much thought. Now that Feng Zikang mentioned it, he hesitated. What if this brat managed to hold out for two or three moves, and his master happened to look over? Seeing him slaughtering his guest would certainly be troublesome. Still, he absolutely would not let this fellow go over such a slim possibility.

“Brother Zhou, there’s no need for clever wordplay. I won’t spare you today regardless. If my master discovers this, it will be my bad luck.” Mou Canglang spoke with ironclad finality, showing no trace of doubt.

Feng Zikang nodded inwardly. Those who could cultivate to the Core Condensation realm were indeed no ordinary beings; their resolve was firm and not easily swayed by words.

But that wasn't his objective. He smiled faintly. “Brother Mou mistakes my intent. I merely fear the commotion might interfere. How about we move a bit further away?”

“Oh?”

This time, it was Mou Canglang’s turn to be surprised. This brat remained so composed; could he truly possess some hidden trump card? A slight waver entered his mind. Did this kid really possess the strength to contend with a Core Condensation cultivator? Impossible—absolutely impossible! Mou Canglang shook his head. He was probably just bluffing, but if the other party was willing to move farther out, that was naturally preferable.

“Since Brother Zhou shows such magnanimity, I shall accompany you. We shall travel another thousand li north.”

Another thousand li north would place them far beyond the periphery of Eagle Wing Island, and still a considerable distance from the Central Plains coast—a veritable lawless zone. Mou Canglang calculated clearly: even if the boy intended to flee back to the Central Plains for reinforcements, they would be far too distant to arrive in time.

“Good!”

Feng Zikang offered no objection. He shook his Cloud Chariot, heading north. Mou Canglang laughed heartily, transforming into a cloud of five-colored vapor, keeping pace beside him. Both remained on high alert, neither making a move, traveling a full thousand li before stopping.

Feng Zikang dismissed his Cloud Chariot and stood proudly atop his sword light. “Brother Mou, the scenery here is excellent. Shall we settle our score right here?”

Mou Canglang found this amusing. The brat truly believed this was a match between equals. The difference between Foundation Establishment and Core Condensation was not minor; the outcome might be decided in a single move. However, being naturally cautious, he dared not slacken. He raised a finger, and a five-colored cloud shielded his head, nodding slowly.

“Then let us begin!”

He called out coldly. Immediately, the sea surface transformed as strong winds brewed, and massive waves surged upward, blocking the path between them. These waves were instantly shattered by the potent pressure, scattering into countless droplets that splashed onto the sea, resembling rain.

A continuous roar echoed between heaven and earth, like rolling thunder. As the pressure emanating from the two intensified, a colossal vortex formed on the sea surface, spinning rapidly as if poised to devour everything.

Feng Zikang offered no courtesy. He summoned with a gesture, and Dragon Que lunged out ferociously, its five claws slashing toward Mou Canglang. Mou Canglang was momentarily startled, then sneered. “So, you have this bottom-of-the-box treasure. A mere mechanical beast, what is there to fear!” He pointed a finger, and another five-colored cloud drifted over, exhibiting a spiritual intelligence as it met and held Dragon Que back. Feng Zikang pressed his attack without pause, unleashing a flurry of ten thousand sword lights. Titanic waves erupted in response, and the entire sea rushed toward Mou Canglang’s face.

Mou Canglang praised the attack, spitting out a five-colored beam of light that countered the sword energy. The surging seawater struck an invisible barrier before him, splitting and flowing downward like a bizarre, suspended waterfall.

“Brother Zhou, you certainly have substance!” The sheer power of these sword strikes startled Mou Canglang. To elicit such intense sword qi from a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator—this created divine technique was truly extraordinary.

Feng Zikang transformed the Heaven-Swallowing Ancient Sword into his life-bound magical weapon, its deployment becoming even more intuitive. The profound mysteries of the Star Extinction Great Annihilation Sword Art were displayed through its fluid rotations. At times, he felt as if the Heaven-Swallowing Ancient Sword was dancing the sword lights itself, rather than being directed by him; the natural transitions imbued it with boundless power.

He allowed the Ancient Sword its freedom, feeling a sense of harmony as he flowed with the sword light, grasping the true essence of the Star Extinction Great Annihilation Sword Art more deeply. Alas, today was not the time for enlightenment. Given a better opportunity, Feng Zikang would gladly spend more time practicing the sword technique, perhaps achieving another breakthrough.

But this was not yet his killing blow. Feng Zikang clapped his hands, and four Divine Fiends sprang forth, surrounding Mou Canglang and striking relentlessly.

“What are these things?”

Mou Canglang was shocked. He had never witnessed such colossal Divine Fiends before. Each one was immense and possessed formidable strength. Though they couldn't harm him, they nonetheless exerted subtle pressure.

Feng Zikang laughed heartily. “A Core Condensation cultivator is nothing more than this. I have one more move; I request Brother Mou to judge it!”

Mou Canglang had initially been enraged by Feng Zikang speaking, but hearing that there was still one more move made his heart tighten. He grew fully wary, sneering, “You brat, what other strange tricks do you have? Bring them out! I want to see what bizarre abilities you still possess!”

Feng Zikang laughed loudly, then his eyes suddenly turned crimson. His form flickered, transforming into a brilliant streak of blood-red light. Just as Mou Canglang prepared to defend, the light flashed, shooting straight north like a shooting star. In an instant, it was hundreds of li away.

Heavenly Demon Blood Evasion!

Before Mou Canglang could react, he heard a burst of roaring laughter echoing back: “Senior Brother Mou, your Core Condensation skills are indeed profound. I dare not test them further. When my cultivation is complete, I shall return to repay today’s debt!”

“Fleeing?!”

Mou Canglang was furious enough to explode. This Zhou Ping’an—he spoke so finely, yet resorted to such cowardice, simply running away! Though he might be able to catch up if he pursued at full speed, the momentary hesitation, coupled with entanglement by the Divine Fiends and the mechanical beast, meant he couldn't hope to catch up now.

He saw the faces of the Divine Fiends crack into strange smiles. Mou Canglang roared in anger, preparing to strike them down decisively, only to see them shake their bodies, crumble into fragments, and vanish without a trace.

Mou Canglang stomped his feet in frustration and could only vent his anger on the mechanical beast, Dragon Que. He swung his hand, unleashing a five-colored sword beam that struck Dragon Que squarely. The beast let out a miserable shriek, shattering into pieces and turning to dust.

Only then did Mou Canglang feel slightly calmer, spitting curses.

“Zhou Ping’an, you wait for me!”

He cursed the name that did not exist, while Feng Zikang was already a thousand li distant. ※

When Dragon Que caught up to Feng Zikang, he was resting by the roadside, his chest heaving slightly, his complexion a touch pale. The Heavenly Demon Blood Evasion was quite taxing on vital energy, but a brief stop to circulate his qi settled him down.

He opened his eyes, saw Dragon Que had followed, and nodded.

“Dragon Que, are you alright?”

Dragon Que patted its bony chest and grinned foolishly. “My Lord need not worry. That fool thinks I was utterly destroyed, but I waited until he left, then reshaped and regenerated, catching up slowly. I am perfectly fine.”

Feng Zikang nodded. “It’s good that you’re unharmed. You earned merit today, so I grant you the Glinting Pearl I have long coveted.”

He retrieved the Glinting Pearl he had taken from White Bone Divine Monarch from his storage pouch. Since the item no longer served much purpose for him, rewarding merit was appropriate, and giving it to Dragon Que was fitting. Dragon Que was overjoyed, taking it immediately and fitting it into its empty eye socket. It was indeed a Dragon Eye Gem; it shone brilliantly, and the beast could now use the Glinting Pearl's divine abilities, increasing its power slightly.

“Today’s battle, though brief, confirmed the strength of a Core Condensation cultivator is still far beyond what I can currently reach. In the coming years, the world will undergo great changes, and I must focus on cultivating my divine powers to endure them.” Feng Zikang murmured. His exchange with Mou Canglang had shown him the gap between himself and a Core Condensation master. Although it wasn't an insurmountable distance, he needed time.

The matter of nurturing the demonic embryo was urgent, and his cultivation advancement needed acceleration. If he could reach Core Condensation before the Great Change three years hence, that would be ideal, though it seemed unlikely. At the very least, he needed sufficient self-preservation ability against Core Condensation experts so that he wouldn't always be forced to fight and flee.

“My Lord, at the initial Foundation Establishment stage, you toyed with the Core Condensation master Mou Canglang and escaped with ease. After these few years, you will certainly be able to subdue him effortlessly.” With a new eye, Dragon Que’s intelligence seemed to have increased slightly; at least, it had learned to flatter now.

Feng Zikang laughed heartily. At that moment, the little fox also emerged, chirping animatedly, seemingly agreeing with the sentiment. ※

The objective of the Unreturning Sea Demon Cultivators was now clear: the so-called southwestern conflict was merely a diversion to cover their true intentions. Thus, they hadn't even sent their elite disciples, sending only cannon fodder to die.

Since that was the case, the southwestern conflict should conclude here. Feng Zikang intended to return to Ganzhou City, gather elite troops, wipe out the remaining demons on the border in one sweep, secure the region, and then return to Dragon Tiger Mountain for secluded cultivation.

He urgently needed to enter seclusion to achieve another breakthrough, as he had gained much insight from the recent battles and needed time to consolidate his gains.

Feng Zikang piloted the Cloud Chariot straight back to Ganzhou, only to see the battlements of Wuzhou City shrouded in misery and dark miasma. Alarmed, as he drew closer, he saw Fei Tianhe struggling to stand atop the wall, using countless heavenly thunders to bombard the black clouds overhead. Unfortunately, the clouds seemed endless; though the thunder was fierce, it only tore the clouds apart momentarily before they reformed, showing little lasting effect.

When Fei Tianhe spotted Feng Zikang approaching, he cried out with immense relief, “Good! Good! General Feng is back! Everyone, do not worry!”

“General Feng is back!”

A wave of joyous cheers erupted from Luozhou City. Though slightly weak, the sincerity was evident. Prime Minister Pang’s excited voice called out, “Where is General Feng? Where is General Feng? This old man is here!”

He flew upward. Feng Zikang focused his sight and saw that Prime Minister Pang had a strip of cloth tied around his head, his body swaying precariously. Supported by Pang Fei, he managed to take flight, staggering but rushing forward with delight.

“General, we have been waiting for your return!”

Before the words were finished, he stumbled, inexplicably beginning to fall toward the city wall. Pang Fei rushed forward in alarm, snatching at the Prime Minister’s sleeve. With a tearing sound, the sleeve ripped, and the old man plummeted to the ground!

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