Outside Red Maple Mountain.
The entire mountain range was in turmoil, as if on the verge of collapse.
"An earthquake? Qinghe County has never experienced earthquakes before."
"It's the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm acting up!"
"Could it be that the secret realm is about to collapse!?"
"The Blood Phoenix Secret Realm has existed for so many ages—why now of all times?"
"Could it be that someone obtained the inheritance, triggering its destruction?"
Chaos erupted among the crowd gathered around the mountain.
An earth-shaking disaster was not something ordinary people could withstand.
The rumbling grew even more violent.
The energy from the secret realm had already begun leaking out.
Figures hovered in the air, each unleashing their own domain.
"Everyone, it seems this secret realm is on the verge of shattering."
The white-browed elder from Hengyun Sword City stood at the forefront.
Among those present, he was the only one at the fifth realm—Outer Scenery.
Qian Bufan, sensing the leaking energy, narrowed his eyes on his plump face:
"Who knows what kind of anomaly has occurred inside?"
"Saving lives is the priority. I hope everyone can set aside their factional differences and spread out for rescue efforts. What do you say?"
The collapse of a secret realm was not something those at the Inner Breath or even Observation Divinity realms could endure.
As soon as he finished speaking, a money tree materialized within Qian Bufan’s domain, its coins clinking as if real.
With a jingling sound, it wrapped around him and carried him into the secret realm.
Before entering, he glanced into the distance—as if exchanging a look with someone.
The others hesitated only briefly.
One after another, experts at the Inner Scenery and Outer Scenery realms employed their own methods, charging into the crumbling secret realm.
The tremors reached here as well.
Panic spread among the people, fear gripping their hearts as they worried the city itself might collapse.
In a residence in the western alley...
"Master, the earth is shaking—we won’t make it out in time."
A middle-aged woman, dressed elegantly with traces of her former beauty, wept with a resolute expression:
"Even if we die, I want to die with you."
"Don’t be afraid, Qin’er. Your husband is here."
"We won’t be separated, even in death."
The man she clung to stood tall, his handsome and chiseled features making him the very picture of a heroic figure.
The two seemed to be enacting a tragic love story at the end of the world.
Elder Shen of Ruyi Peak: "......"
Shangguan Wencang: "......"
Shang Wu: "Zzz... munch."
Aside from Shang Wu, who remained fast asleep despite the shaking, the others felt rather out of place—completely ignored.
No... perhaps not ignored.
They had simply become part of the performance.
At that moment, Shangguan Wencang lightly tapped the ground with his foot.
Strangely enough, the tremors instantly vanished, as if they had never existed.
Not just within the Li residence—the entire Qinghe County fell silent.
Once the shaking stopped, the middle-aged couple continued their tearful embrace.
Xue Jing’s lips twitched. This was his former disciple, after all. He shot him a meaningful look: "The Sect Master is present."
Li Dalong, the middle-aged man, blinked before laughing awkwardly:
"My apologies, my apologies. My wife and I were overcome with emotion—we couldn’t help ourselves..."
Under the questioning gazes of the other elders, his face flushed slightly as he sighed.
He wanted to clarify, very seriously, that Li Dalong’s theatrical personality had absolutely nothing to do with him!
"We should head out now."
Shangguan Wencang clasped his hands behind his back and spoke softly.
Meanwhile, inside the secret realm...
The scene resembled the end of the world.
Everyone wanted to escape, but there was no way out—no door in the sky, no path beneath their feet.
The battle above was still raging.
Run downward? The entrance they came through had long since disappeared.
Li Mo’s aura was rapidly fading.
He could no longer draw upon the power of the world, and the Blood-Soaked Battle Soul Talisman’s time limit had expired.
Senior Brother Xiaobao crawled out of his dantian, his little face pale as he collapsed on the ground, panting heavily.
With the last of his willpower, Li Mo recalled the Rumbling Tribulation Meteor Hammer before slumping to the ground, letting the overwhelming exhaustion wash over him.
"You brat—you’ve ruined a century of my plans!"
Han Zhen’s face twisted with fury. The body animated by the Palm Mystic’s remains had withered into a decrepit husk.
This avatar could not be saved.
The only thing left was to vent his rage by killing the boy.
Yin Huaxuan stood motionless until, at Han Zhen’s signal, he crushed a stone seal. A wisp of pure black energy surged out.
A piercing shriek tore through the sky—a summons to the Demon Calling Sect members meant to retrieve them.
Meanwhile, Han Zhen lashed out at Li Mo with a final, hate-fueled strike.
Once again, that palm strike imbued with profound mysteries descended.
Another supreme technique, empowered by the Palm Mystic’s remains—its force was terrifying.
Earlier, when clashing with the Meteor Hammer of Unyielding Calamity, it had only been slightly outmatched by three parts.
But now, Li Mo was utterly incapable of resisting.
Young Li wasn’t the least bit flustered—he even smirked.
He had already heard the system’s notification chime moments ago.
A cold voice rang out.
A dazzling sword light flashed once more, as if cleaving down from the highest heavens.
The sword light swept past.
In his horror, the aged Han Zhen barely managed to twist his body halfway, causing the blade that should have split him in two to land on his shoulder instead.
Han Zhen’s arm wasn’t completely severed.
Because the Frost Sky Slash didn’t target the flesh.
The Sword of No-Self could sever the soul’s intent.
His arm had already been "killed." No matter where his soul’s intent returned, that arm would remain useless.
A quarter-hour had passed!
Han Zhen refused to accept it.
He still wanted to strike again.
Sword light crisscrossed, carving a deep scar into the ground ahead.
Han Zhen abruptly looked up.
There, Ying Bing stood with her sword held horizontally, guarding someone’s front, her gaze icy.
"Cross this line, and you die."
Her eyes seemed to pierce through the depths of his soul, sending a chill straight to his core.
And making those three words impossible to doubt.
Han Zhen fell silent.
A few breaths later, he gave the two of them a deep, lingering look before the light in his eyes faded.
His body collapsed powerlessly to the ground, flesh rapidly vanishing until only a skeleton remained.
Yin Huaxuan shot into the sky.
Outside, the sounds of battle erupted once more.
But our young Li Mo couldn’t be bothered with any of it now.
Sitting behind the "ice block," he steadied himself.
After a long day’s toil, Li Mo couldn’t resist checking the rewards he’d just obtained.
[Congratulations, Host! Successful investment in ‘Ying Bing,’ aiding her in avoiding severe injury.]
[Investment return: "Zhou Tian Star Alchemy Scripture"]
[Congratulations, Host! Successful investment in ‘Ying Bing,’ aiding her in refining the Blood Phoenix Essence.]
[Investment return: Gilded Creation Seal]