He was afraid to die; he was a coward, yet sometimes, many things held greater importance than life itself.

Fang Zhuguo initially intended to say something, but catching sight of Liang Xiaoke's resolute expression, he subtly nodded. With the Illusion-Annihilation Mirror of Life and Death in hand, taking two people and escaping should not be difficult.

"Seniors, have you made up your minds? To whom shall I offer these magic treasures first?" Liang Xiaoke, observing the greedy flames igniting in their eyes, added a touch more fuel to the fire.

"Little brother, you don't need to give them to us; you only need to place these treasures in mid-air..." These seven weren't utter fools and did not fall for Liang Xiaoke’s ruse. They had already tacitly decided: whoever seized them first would own them...

"Very well, if that is the case, then esteemed seniors, please watch closely..." Liang Xiaoke nodded, affecting an air of indifference. The Immortal Slaying Sword in his hand, the Vast Heaven Pearl above his head, the golden brick held by the Daoist, and the Seven Treasures Tree clutched by the Monk slowly floated outward, while every gaze fixed upon these artifacts...

Just as he prepared to send out the Heaven-Turning Seal held by Xiyang, the Vast Heaven Pearl suddenly erupted with blinding golden light...

"Go..." Liang Xiaoke let out a cold snort. The Vast Heaven Pearl flared with intense golden radiance once more, shooting out like a volley of arrows aimed at the seven surrounding figures.

Fang Zhuguo and Xue Ming, already prepared, immediately seized Xiyang's arms. The Illusion-Annihilation Mirror of Life and Death manifested above their heads, enveloping the trio in streams of black and white light before hurtling them away into the distance.

The seven patriarchs had maintained their guard, though their caution was directed primarily toward one another. Seeing the dazzling golden light burst forth from the Vast Heaven Pearl, they instantly knew something was amiss. They immediately mobilized their vital energy to resist, but the golden light was overwhelmingly piercing, and their energy could only manage to slightly diminish its power.

For a moment, their vision was completely obscured. However, their potent divine senses spread out, naturally perceiving the aura of Fang Zhuguo and the others as they fled...

"None of you are leaving today!" Lin Xingyun roared, angrily grasping at the void. A longsword shimmering with silver light materialized in his hand. Since the facades had been torn down, there was nothing left to discuss.

He swung the sword toward Fang Zhuguo and the fleeing group, but Fang Zhuguo’s speed was exceptional, managing to dodge the strike. However, Patriarch Hua Wuhui of the Hua family instantly appeared in front of Fang Zhuguo, extending hands softer and fairer than any woman's toward the three figures enveloped by the light of life and death...

"You effeminate Hua family dog, die!" Unexpectedly, Liang Xiaoke lunged forward first, fists clenched, waves of dark, eerie light flickering across his knuckles—the manifestation of the Nether Qi—aimed directly at Hua Wuhui’s groin...

Upon hearing the insult "effeminate dog," Hua Wuhui's expression turned uglier than words could describe. Before he could unleash his full fury, he felt a sudden chilling draft between his legs. The hand reaching for Fang Zhuguo’s group immediately retracted, shielding his lower body and intercepting Liang Xiaoke’s punch.

But the Monk was already upon him, wielding the Seven Treasures Tree, and swung it backward in a sweeping blow, also targeting Hua Wuhui’s groin...

Hua Wuhui cursed internally: Does this fool only know how to use such tactics? Yet, his hands did not drop. Knowing the sacred tree was no ordinary object, he summoned a curved saber to block the approaching weapon.

With a sharp crack, the curved saber was instantly shattered into pieces by the impact of the Seven Treasures Tree, but Hua Wuhui used the momentum to evade the full force of the strike.

However, the Daoist, who otherwise appeared devout and ascetic, now wore an expression of utter lewdness, raising the golden brick to smash upward toward Hua Wuhui’s groin...

"Damn it all..." Even Hua Wuhui, who had spent years cultivating restraint, was utterly enraged by Liang Xiaoke's shamelessly despicable fighting style.

He could tolerate the initial fist attack, and even forgive the subsequent sweep of the treasure tree, but now, this golden brick—meant for striking heads—was being used against his nether regions. Did this man truly intend to wipe out his lineage?

In a fit of rage, strange azure markings erupted across Hua Wuhui’s body, and streaks of multi-colored light flashed across his skin, instantly coalescing into a five-colored shield below his waist.

With a loud clang, the golden brick struck the shield, producing a sound like interlocked metal. The shield naturally shattered under the blow.

Hua Wuhui roared, seizing the moment to lash out with a punch toward the Daoist...

But a streak of black light instantly appeared near his groin, once again shooting toward Hua Wuhui’s **...

Feeling the chilling breeze, Hua Wuhui felt tears welling up. Brother, one can be shameless in life, but surely not this shameless? We are both men; there should be some common ground. Why are you showing absolutely no restraint?

His outward-striking palm retracted once more. He summoned a treasured sword he had refined over many years, intending to intercept the black light. Instead, he heard a sizzle, and his supposedly formidable sword snapped cleanly in two. Immediately following, he felt a searing agony between his legs...

A burning, indescribable pain caused his expression to change drastically. His legs involuntarily clamped together, and his body lurched, causing him to plummet from the sky. He crashed heavily onto the ground, creating a massive crater and kicking up clouds of dust.

To reach the Celestial Immortal realm and yet fall from the sky—Hua Wuhui was likely the first person in history to achieve such a dubious feat.

Seeing Hua Wuhui collapse onto the ground, hands clutching his wounded area, the others instinctively squeezed their own legs together, staring at Liang Xiaoke with bizarre expressions. How could this man be so utterly shameless? They needed to be exceedingly careful.

It was at this precise moment that the three figures enveloped by the Illusion-Annihilation Mirror of Life and Death broke clear of their captors' divine sense range, poised to escape.

"My dear son, where do you think you're running off to?" However, the body of Xue Hai Wuya transformed into a streak of blood-red light and shot after Xue Ming and the others. He knew clearly that a terrifyingly powerful artifact, the Heaven-Turning Seal, remained in Xiyang's possession...

But Liang Xiaoke, who had sworn to protect Xiyang at all costs, could not agree to this pursuit. His true form, two powerful avatars, and the blood-corpse Gongsun Lu materialized simultaneously before Xue Hai Wuya...

Without hesitation, the full might of his inner power erupted, launching an attack directly toward Xue Hai Wuya. He had only one thought in his heart: absolutely no one would be allowed to harm Xiyang...

(Stars, today marks the beginning of the explosive sequence; please lend maximum support! The pursuers are closing in fast, and the Star Master needs a vast amount of Golden Bricks and recommendation votes! We must defend our honor! I will continue writing and update again later. Dear Stars, please show your support! Those unfamiliar with smashing bricks or voting can check my space—it will be clear once you look. I beg your support! QQ: 108669196)