As the figures of the seven Saints from the Phantom Abode gradually receded into the distance, the men in black finally ceased their flurry of activity. They exchanged glances, then burst into hearty laughter. One of them remarked, "After today’s events, I fear the three Great Holy Lands and the Misty Phantom Abode will be locked in an irreconcilable stalemate. The Young Master’s plan is truly sinister."

"It might not be that simple! After all, both sides have high-level figures to keep them in check; however, even if it doesn't escalate to outright bloodshed, cooperation between them will certainly be impossible as it was before," another person mused, stroking his chin.

"Furthermore, the strength of those seven Saints from the Phantom Abode is unbelievably formidable. Even trapped in such a disadvantageous situation and facing the combined assault of ten of us, they managed a breakthrough during the exchange of blows, even leaving quite a few of us severely wounded! The reputation of the Phantom Abode Saints is indeed well-deserved." The speaker removed his mask, revealing a face as cold and immaculate as carved white jade. If Cao Guofeng were to see him, Anran would surely exclaim in shock: How could it be you?

This man was none other than the Gale Sword God, Feng Juan Yun!

It went without saying that the others were all subordinates of Jun Mo Xie.

This interception was merely one link in Jun Mo Xie’s meticulously designed plan. To casually give away a seedling possessing the Ethereal Physique… without some subsequent maneuvering, who would believe such a stroke of unexpected luck?

Thus, Jun Mo Xie had orchestrated this ambush with great care! Of course, this was all an act, a pretense, and in the end, they were always meant to ease up. If they had actually managed to kill all seven Saints, Jun Mo Xie would truly have nowhere to weep. "That's right, we have eleven Saints here!" the others chimed in, their faces animated as they removed their head coverings—were they not the Saints who had been guarding the Fourteenth Young Master of the Nine Serenities?

At this moment, the people from the cave also emerged. Though numerous, they were useless in the battle between the Saints. These were all members of the Soul-Devouring Remnant Heaven faction. The highest among them was at the fourth level of the Saint realm. While this level of strength was considerable, it was insufficient against figures like Cao Guofeng and the others at the Saint Emperor level… They would be of no use. Engaging would likely only mean throwing their lives away!

No wonder they had only shouted wildly from the rear without charging in… there was a massive element of bluff involved. "Alright, mission accomplished! Let’s go, I’ll treat everyone to drinks!" This was Ying Bo Kong’s voice, as he waved his hand with great bravado.

"How old are you, brat? You dare call yourself 'Laozi' in front of us? You’re rebelling, you little punk!" the speaker was Saint Emperor Lu, who rolled his eyes at Ying Bo Kong, looking thoroughly displeased.

Ying Bo Kong shrunk his neck. Toward this person who called him a "brat," he dared not show the slightest disrespect. The other had lived for at least a thousand years, while he was barely sixty or seventy. To posture as an elder before them would be ridiculous! Calling him a "brat" was entirely appropriate and fitting!

"To punish you, brat, I shall revert to my true form for the drinking today!" Saint Emperor Lu announced gleefully, and the other Saints from the Heavenly Punishment Forest echoed his sentiment, eagerly rubbing their hands, vowing to drink their fill and celebrate until they passed out!

Ying Bo Kong exchanged a look with Feng Juan Yun, both nearly stunned speechless: Given their massive size after taking their true forms, they would probably need tens of thousands of pounds of alcohol to get drunk? They could only offer a wry smile.

Ying Bo Kong touched his somewhat meager coin purse, his mouth twitching…

Three days later.

"We are almost there. Once we cross this last mountain, we will reach the entrance to the Phantom Abode, nestled in the ice and snow," Bai Qi Feng said, pointing ahead with a relaxed expression. Although his previous injuries were not minor, they had healed considerably after the few days of recovery. The formidable self-repair capabilities of a Saint Emperor proved quite effective.

Since that battle a few days ago, where he had shouldered the majority of the pressure to force their escape, Bai Qi Feng was no longer consumed by guilt. Yet, he remained somewhat awkward and embarrassed. The others wisely avoided mentioning that incident, lest they make him uncomfortable.

Currently, Jun Mo Xie was still held in the arms of another Saint Emperor, maintaining his state of ‘unconscious collapse.’ Along the way, the Saint Emperors had taken turns carrying him five or six times.

All seven Saints marveled at the young man's tenacious vitality. Every day, the fellow looked as if he could expire at any moment, yet he stubbornly persisted. He remained in that same near-death, yet stubbornly clinging-to-life state as before.

Infusing him with profound energy seemed to make no difference whatsoever. While he didn't improve, he showed no signs of worsening either. In the initial period, everyone worried that the youth might just pass away before they reached safety, but now they were quite relieved… Looking at him, it was clear he wouldn't die.

Jun Mo Xie, meanwhile, was internally worried: Damn it, why are these guys traveling so slowly? Lying in your arms day after day, do you think that’s comfortable for me? My backside is about to get a rash... Finally, as they neared the entrance to the Phantom Abode, Jun Mo Xie let out a long sigh of relief! It was almost over. Once the doctors in the Phantom Abode treated him, he would certainly show them great courtesy… A single dose of medicine would wake him, and he would quickly get up and express profuse thanks… But… reality often proves that good things are hard-won.

Just as the Saints were excitedly discussing the subsequent matters upon entering the Abode and what they would do next and so on… suddenly— "Just the seven of you, actually thinking you can hide back in the Phantom Abode? This Young Master has been waiting for you lot for a long time!" A sinister voice cut through the air. "Those who wound this Young Master do not escape so easily, do they? If I don't extract some price, where shall this Young Master keep face?" As the cold voice abruptly sounded, a figure materialized silently before them.

The newcomer was clad entirely in black, appearing like a ghost. He had emerged suddenly. Even though the sun was shining brightly, a chilling sense of the grave rose in everyone’s hearts upon seeing him.

This person had long, raven-black hair that parted over his forehead and cascaded straight down to his waist. His stature was tall, his legs long and slender. Though so close, it was impossible to discern the features of his face; only his eyes, like cold lightning, glittered with endless frigidity and killing intent. Beneath those eyes, everyone instantly felt a sense of insurmountable awe!

Unmatched!

Unequaled!

This sudden apparition was, naturally, the Fourteenth Young Master of the Nine Serenities!

As soon as the voice faded, Jun Mo Xie, lying inside the bundle, began cursing internally: Damn Nine Serenity Fourteenth Young Master, couldn't you have shown up at any other time? Why must you ruin things right now? If you mess up my plan, just wait until I— Upon seeing the Fourteenth Young Master this time, Cao Guofeng and the other six felt a shared astonishment—He’s become a different person. The previous Fourteenth Young Master, though ruthless and decisive, was nowhere near as terrifying as he was now!

The present Fourteenth Young Master was like a living embodiment of Hell!

Vast and boundless, profound and ethereal.

Without a doubt, the injuries he had previously sustained were completely healed! This included the power that had been sealed for so many years, and all internal and external wounds—everything was restored… The current Fourteenth Young Master was the fully realized version of himself at his peak strength!

Cao Guofeng and the seven exchanged glances, and a wave of true despair washed over them as they realized this simultaneously.

But it was precisely because they grasped this reality that despair filled their eyes. Previously, when the three Great Holy Lands, plus the people from the Heavenly Saint Palace, and the seven from the Misty Phantom Abode—a total of over twenty Saint Emperors—had besieged the Fourteenth Young Master who had only broken through his seal to unleash two or three parts of his power, he still managed to rout them, severely injuring several and killing others before calmly departing with wounds covering his body!

Now, of those twenty-plus Saint Emperors, only the seven before him remained! And facing them was the Fourteenth Young Master at his fullest, ten-tenths combat power! How could this battle possibly be fought?

Cao Guofeng’s face turned ashen. He stepped forward and said calmly, "Since Brother Fourteen has come to collect his debt, we who owe it naturally will not evade. Please state your terms, whatever you wish. A man walks the world, sooner or later he takes a knife. My seven brothers and I have long been prepared for today, and we have long anticipated this moment! To die by the hand of the renowned Fourteenth Young Master of the Nine Serenities is far better than dying slowly in bed! Please!" The Fourteenth Young Master let out a strange laugh. "Do you think that by putting on a show of meeting death fearlessly, speaking righteously as you calmly prepare to die, this Young Master will recognize your heroic spirit and show mercy? I tell you, today, whether you beg for your lives on your knees, fight to the death, or simply await slaughter, the outcome will be the same! In this current age, I believe no one can save the lives of you seven!" His eyes glared, and he barked menacingly, "I must kill these seven here today!" The others were visibly enraged. After all, they were all high-level Saint Emperors; how could they tolerate such insult? Death was acceptable, but this living humiliation they absolutely rejected!

The eyes of the Fourteenth Young Master flashed with cold light, and without any change in expression, he floated forward… Just then, a sound as thin as a mosquito’s hum reached the ears of the Fourteenth Young Master: "…My heavens, can you stop playing games with me like this… I finally managed to trick them into bringing me into the Phantom Abode, and you come here to stir up trouble! Do I have such deep enmity with you?..." The Fourteenth Young Master froze instantly! His icy eyes flickered almost imperceptibly toward the source of the voice, and spotting Jun Mo Xie, who was bundled up like a rice dumpling, he couldn't help but let out a wry smile internally!

Damn it, why is it this brat again? How long do I have to repay your master and apprentice's favor? This is truly depressing...