“Crack-snap…” The massive bolt of lightning plunged directly into the earthen pit, instantly incinerating everything within it. The colossal mountain peak then descended heavily, pressing the entire ground down, as if the whole of Yun Jing City trembled from the impact…

Witnessing such a terrifying strike, even Qin Yan’s expression shifted. Was this the power of a Soul Immortal? If such an attack had struck him, he likely wouldn't have escaped death either. No wonder they said if a Soul Immortal fought a Martial Saint, the Saint’s chance of victory was almost zero; this level of destructive force was simply beyond a Martial Saint’s ability to withstand…

After an unknown period—at least a quarter of an hour—the swirling dust and flying debris slowly dispersed. Where the open ground had been, there was now only a mound of earth, and no other sign of movement…

“He must be dead from that blow, right?” Immortal Qingfeng sighed heavily…

“He is undoubtedly dead!” Immortal Luye stated coldly. If he hadn't died after being struck by my Green Sword and the Azure Wood Divine Thunder, then his title as a Soul Immortal would be meaningless. However, summoning the Azure Wood Divine Thunder consumed far too much soul power; it even severely damaged his Origin Soul. He truly would not use such a forbidden technique unless absolutely forced…

Immortal Lanyu’s soul hovered between the two, gazing down at the dissipating dust, and he spoke softly, “With no residual movement or life signs, he is likely gone!”

“Since that monster is dead, I ask the three Immortals to accompany me to Yun Jing City. I worry that my son may have met with misfortune!” Qin Yunxiao, also unable to sense any lingering life force, cupped his hands and addressed the three.

“Brother Qin, this matter must wait for now. Brother Lanyu’s physical body is destroyed; we must immediately find him a suitable replacement vessel. Moreover, Brother Qingfeng and I sustained considerable injuries and are unlikely to offer much assistance…” At this moment, Immortal Luye interjected.

Observing Immortal Lanyu still in his spectral form, and looking at the fatigued expressions of Immortals Qingfeng and Luye, Qin Yan let out a heavy sigh.

“I thank the three Immortal Brothers for their efforts. I shall go check first and repay your kindness afterward…” With that, he turned and bolted toward the direction of Yun Jing City. Judging by his swift movement, he was clearly a master of the Martial Saint realm…

Watching Qin Yan disappear into the distance, the three sighed in unison. They had accepted Qin Yan’s Spirit Condensing Pills and were obligated to assist him, yet they never imagined such an aberrant monster would appear in the mortal realm. Even combining their strength, they had nearly lost their lives. Between duty and survival, their own lives clearly took precedence. They delayed no longer, their figures flashing as they rushed away…

A full half an hour after the three had departed, a single figure clawed his way out of the dirt—none other than Liang Xiaoke.

However, his face was even more pallid, a bloody hole marred his chest, and his clothes were shredded into mere strips, barely covering him. He looked utterly wretched…

“Damn it, where did this Qin Yan find such experts? That was at least a Golden Core cultivator! If only one had shown up, I wouldn't have been afraid, but three came at once! Fortunately, you aren’t true cultivators and don’t understand the Five Elements Evasion Array, otherwise, wouldn’t my Earth Evasion technique be useless today?” Liang Xiaoke cursed fiercely in the direction the three Soul Immortals had fled…

These three Soul Immortals were all top-tier, beings with one foot already stepping into True Immortality. Liang Xiaoke could handle one without issue, but dealing with three simultaneously was nearly impossible, unless he had sufficient time for a stealth attack…

“You stay here and recover your strength. I’m heading back to Yun Jing City to see if I can kill that bastard Qin Yan. I sensed A’Yu’s aura!” Liang Xiaoke pointed at Gongsun Lu, who was more grievously wounded than himself, and then turned, sprinting toward Yun Jing…

If Gongsun Lu hadn't shielded him and taken the brunt of the attack today, he might already have been slain by the three Soul Immortals…

Meanwhile, on the grand plaza outside the Imperial Palace of Yun Jing City, Ye Jingyu, having just slain Qin Yunxiao, suddenly felt a strange energy radiating intensely from Xiao Geng. He rushed onto the plaza and saw the blue light emanating from Xiao Geng growing ever stronger…

At this moment, both the rebel forces and the palace faction temporarily halted their fighting due to Ye Jingyu’s overwhelming presence. Everyone watched what was happening to Xiao Geng as if viewing a spectacle…

His hair slowly began to float upwards, gradually turning blue. His shattered bones started mending, and even his near-extinguished life force began to surge back with vigor…

Ye Jingyu made no move to attack immediately. Gazing at Xiao Geng’s newly blue hair, the face of Yingkong Shi suddenly flashed in his mind—their appearances were strikingly similar…

And Xiao Geng’s current aura… Could it be…

Could it be… he was a Demon General?

As Xiao Geng’s aura continued to shift, far away in a hidden cave at the edge of the Southern Barren Forest, Shu Yun, who had suffered heavy losses instead of obtaining the Blue Demon’s Tear, was sitting cross-legged on a green stone, restoring his strength. As if sensing something, he abruptly opened his eyes…

“Impossible! Unless his life was in grave danger, he wouldn’t have broken the seal! With my assistance, he attained the Martial Saint Body, and I forged those Soul Artifacts for him. Who could possibly injure him to the point of near-death?” Shock colored Shu Yun’s face…

“No, this is bad. If he’s been harmed, Lord Yingkong Shi will surely kill me!” The thought of Yingkong Shi’s terrifying power sent a shiver down Shu Yun’s spine. But the distance to Yun Jing was eighty thousand miles; he couldn't possibly arrive in time…

Fearing the potential repercussions, Shu Yun’s heart clenched. He immediately recited an incantation, deciding that he would notify Yingkong Shi at once; this matter was best left for his superior to handle…

As Shu Yun uttered the mantra, a blue vortex formed once more in the void. Immediately after, Yingkong Shi, clad in black armor, stepped out of the vortex…

“My Lord…” Upon seeing the newcomer, Shu Yun rushed forward…

“You don’t need to say anything; I know everything. I will depart immediately from this other plane to try and save him…” Yingkong Shi cut Shu Yun off, sweeping his hand through the void, causing another blue vortex to materialize. He stepped directly into it…

And at this moment, on the plaza outside the Yun Jing Imperial Palace, Xiao Geng’s body began to slowly levitate…

(Aoo-aooo-aooo, golden bricks, smash them! Smash them until I’m knocked out!)