Shuihan Star.
Celestial-ranked experts continuously returned from all directions, presenting demon corpses and reporting their findings.
"Reporting to the Young Master, the eastern river valley is littered with demon corpses, as if a great evil has passed through. We have collected over three thousand corpses of various kinds."
"Reporting to the Young Master, the western frozen plains are the same. We have gathered over two thousand demon corpses."
"Repor—"
Before the third person could finish, the handsome young master lazily interrupted.
"Enough."
"It's all much of the same. I have no interest in wasting any more time. Now that we’ve investigated Shuihan Star, it should be enough to shut those old fools’ mouths."
"It’s time for us to leave and seek treasure."
The so-called investigation was utterly perfunctory, his tone dripping with impatience.Only when mentioning the word "treasure" did the young master’s eyes gleam with anticipation, as if this was the true purpose of their journey—a worthwhile endeavor only if there were treasures to be found.
Even so, his attendants, experts, and concubines all responded with devout reverence.
"As you command, Young Master!"
The two leading figures bowed slowly, their sidelong glances drifting toward Xiong Fen and the others sprawled on the ground.
"Young Master, what shall we do with these people? Should we eliminate them here?"
The dashing young master chuckled softly, raising a wine cup with a glint in his eyes.
"No rush."
"We still need them to lead us to Dark Shadow Island. Let these ants keep their wretched lives for now."
Watching the arrogant way he toyed with the cup, Xiong Fen gritted his teeth in fury.
Hearing the words, he and the others exchanged stunned glances.
"Dark Shadow Island?"
"Fine! If you truly dare to go, I’d be more than happy to lead the way!"
Xiong Fen’s voice was laced with venom, and Xiong Zhong and the bricklayers echoed his defiance through clenched teeth.
"Stop posturing and let’s go now!"
"We’ll take you there!"
"Just hope you don’t regret it later!"
Despite their grievous injuries and near-exhaustion moments ago, they suddenly erupted in taunts, as if brimming with unshakable confidence—or perhaps harboring sinister intentions.
The surrounding experts narrowed their eyes, sensing something eerily familiar about this bravado. It was even more exaggerated than their own, stirring an ominous premonition...
Yet the handsome young master merely glanced sideways with a faint smile, utterly unperturbed.
"From the memories I’ve seen, Dark Shadow Island does possess some strength."
"I know exactly what you’re thinking. But if you believe that meager power is enough to spring a trap, you’re sorely mistaken."
"My level of cultivation is beyond your comprehension."
His calm voice radiated transcendent confidence, stunning Xiong Fen and the others into silence.
This man had already soul-searched their captain. He should know the dangers of Dark Shadow Island—yet he remained so brazenly unafraid. Could his power truly be that formidable?
Exchanging uneasy glances, they strained their spiritual senses to probe him.
Yet the moment their divine consciousness neared the ruthless young master, it was instantly devoured, like clay oxen plunging into the sea. They couldn’t even sense the slightest ripple of his aura.
"This man... is no ordinary foe."
"His aura is imperceptible."
"Everyone, stay alert."
...
Whispers of caution spread quietly.
Bai Qiyu, having climbed out of the crater, dusted the snow off his beloved tracksuit. Satisfied it was unharmed, he lifted his head and scanned his surroundings, drawn by the voices.
His dead-fish eyes swept over the scene.
A flying ship stood not far away, surrounded by strangers pointing and whispering. A few injured men lay on the ground—none of whom he recognized.
But this scene matched Xiao Zhan’s message almost exactly.
Looking closer—
Among the unconscious figures on the ship was someone faintly familiar, likely a member of Dark Shadow Island.
Bai Qiyu brightened and strode forward with his bow-legged gait.
As he walked, he waved and called out—
"Hey!"
"Who here’s from Dark Shadow Island? You guys standing up—are you the bad ones?"
His blunt question sent a stark divide through the crowd aboard the ship.
In the same breath, all eyes widened in shock.
Under their collective gaze, the bald man in a tracksuit jogged toward them with earnest determination, his head reflecting blinding light. His harmless, slightly foolish demeanor stood in absurd contrast to his terrifying entrance.
"Someone from Dark Shadow Island?"
Murderous intent flickered in the eyes of the ship’s occupants, their powers surging covertly.
Meanwhile, Xiong Fen and the others perked up—this was one of their own!
Yet, observing the man’s simpleton-like appearance, even after his spectacular arrival, they couldn’t help but exchange doubtful glances, whispering among themselves.
"Have you ever seen him before?"
"Could he be one of the battalion leaders?"
"Maybe! But... can he really take on these experts?"
"No idea..."
Their hushed telepathic exchange should have been imperceptible.
Yet the young master caught every word. With a casual wave, he issued his command.
"Kill him. Spare no effort."
His tone was eerily calm, devoid of emotion. Despite Bai Qiyu’s display of power, the order was delivered with dismissive ease—as though the bald man warranted nothing more than a routine execution.
The moment the command left his lips, the Celestial-ranked experts unleashed their full might.
Auras erupted as they channeled their Dao powers without restraint, weapons gleaming in their hands. Like wolves descending upon prey, they lunged!
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
The air screamed as the experts closed in on the bald man.
Bai Qiyu, still mid-jog, suddenly found himself under attack!
Dodging clumsily, he yelped in protest.
"Hey! Hey!"
"Attacking without warning—that’s not very sportsmanlike!"
But the assailants, incensed by his evasive maneuvers, grew even more vicious. Their strikes aimed for fatal blows, weaving a deadly net of Dao energy and sword light.
Bai Qiyu sidestepped again, frantically checking his tracksuit for damage.
"That was close..."
"Even old clothes are still clothes. It'd be a shame to ruin them!"
The Heaven-rank experts grew even more furious, their eyes flashing with wariness.
Exchanging glances, their killing intent radiated in all directions!
"Everyone, don’t underestimate him—this man is a formidable foe!"
"Form the array!"
With several fierce shouts, the already ruthless experts became even more ferocious, stepping into an intricate formation as they prepared to strike Bai Qiyu simultaneously!
Watching the impending storm of attacks and the profound footwork, Xiong Fen, who had struggled to his feet, paled in horror—as if he were about to witness his fellow disciple suffer grievous wounds!
At that moment.
Bai Qiyu, growing impatient, threw a single punch toward the oncoming foes.
"Ordinary Fist!"
True to its name, the motion was simplicity itself—just a basic waist-driven punch.
Yet the moment his fist shot forward—
Boundless energy and the power of the Dao erupted like a hurricane, engulfing the Heaven-rank experts in an instant. Screams of terror filled the air!
Where the shockwaves swept, ice and snow surged like tidal waves!
Winds howled, and a blizzard blotted out the sky!
Even the residual force veering to the left sent a hundred-zhang-long flying ship lurching violently. The noble young master, rarely stirred to attention, flicked his sleeve to dispel the icy onslaught.
When the storm finally settled…
The Heaven-rank experts lay motionless, their faces unrecognizable, their robes in tatters.
Behind them.
A thousand-zhang glacier bore a terrifying chasm—a massive tunnel punched straight through its core, piercing the ancient, unmelting peak!
Silence gripped the battlefield.