[Day Five, Evening]
[The silhouette of Danxia Mountain was already visible in the distance]
[You grew even more vigilant]
[The final stretch was always the most prone to mishaps]
[Yet the anticipated interference never came]
[These five Ultimate Grandmasters from Eastern Sea Pavilion flew straight into Danxia Sect with the Earth Source]
[You hovered far above Danxia Sect, frowning deeply: "What's going on? Could it be that Old Xie already obtained this Earth Source during the last simulation, but kept quiet after failing to refine it?"]
[As you pondered this, the Ultimate Grandmasters from Eastern Sea Pavilion began emerging from Danxia Sect, scattering in all directions]
[But you noticed only four had left - one remained behind]
["Why's one staying? Getting late-night snacks?"]
[You patiently waited another hour]
[By now night had fallen, enveloping everything in darkness]
[The ugly man with the mustache finally flew out from Danxia Sect]
[But your eyes narrowed when you spotted the Earth Source bowl hanging from his waist!]
[This mustached rogue had taken the Earth Source!]
[Xie Huide had schemed relentlessly for this Earth Source - he'd never willingly give it up]
[Most likely this scoundrel had bullied his way into taking it using his Ultimate Grandmaster status]
[Looking down at Danxia Sect, you indeed saw Xie Huide chasing after him]
[Xie Huide's face was filled with despair as he stared fixedly at the direction the mustached man had flown]
[Even after losing sight of his target, Xie Huide remained rooted in the sect's plaza, his clenched fists trembling uncontrollably]
[Deng Rusong also came running out - your first time seeing him in this simulation]
[During the last simulation, you'd accompanied Deng Rusong through his final two years]
[You'd personally witnessed Deng Rusong's passing]
[Seeing this lively version of him now felt strangely surreal]
[Though equally furious, Deng Rusong maintained his composure, always rational and considerate of the bigger picture]
[With sighing reassurances, Deng Rusong patted Xie Huide's shoulder and half-dragged the distraught elder back to the main hall]
[You raised your gaze toward the mustached man's retreating figure]
[Your eyes turned icy]
["Greedy bastard, taking everything with you!"]
[You flew directly toward the scoundrel]
[Accelerating, you circled ahead to intercept his flight path, pretending to coincidentally cross paths]
[He hadn't realized he was about to meet his obstacle]
[As you passed each other midair, the man gave you a puzzled glance - you were a complete stranger]
[You mirrored appropriate confusion before stopping and calling out: "Honored warrior, a moment please!"]
[Seeing your politeness, the man halted but maintained a safe distance]
[He asked gruffly: "What business have you, brother?"]
[You pointed toward Danxia Sect: "Did you just come from Danxia Sect?"]
["Indeed."]
[Feigning sudden realization: "Are you perhaps the Ultimate Grandmaster assisting Danxia Sect with the Earth Source matter?"]
[The man eyed you warily: "Who are you?"]
[An apologetic expression surfaced: "No need for caution - I too came to assist Danxia Sect, but was delayed. How did things proceed?"]
[The man stiffened: "I know nothing of any Earth Source."]
[The sheer audacity of denying knowledge while wearing the Earth Source bowl at his waist!]
[Though inwardly cold, you maintained courtesy: "Honored warrior, there's no need for such—"]
[The man tilted his head: "No need for what?"]
["No need to keep living!!"]
*Clang!*
[Your Soul Awakening Blade flashed with starlight]
[Like lightning splitting the dark sky, a brilliant instant illuminated everything]
[This was your most powerful possible strike when launching a surprise attack]
[The blade's arc sliced diagonally from the man's left shoulder to right abdomen]
*Crack!*
[His body separated cleanly at the waist]
["Aaaah—!!"]
[The upper half desperately retreated while using Source Power to contain spilling organs]
[These emergency maneuvers felt oddly familiar - reminded you of another unfortunate soul who'd suffered similarly]
[The key difference being this bastard had no Reviving Yang Pill for salvation]
[With a flick of Source Power, you retrieved the Earth Source bowl from his falling lower half]
[A quick check confirmed the Earth Source remained inside before storing it away]
[Now resembling some grotesque punching bag, the legless torso frantically tried escaping]
[But his pathetic speed allowed you to leisurely follow]
[Keeping pace alongside the panicking torso, you matched his movement perfectly]
[Leaning close enough to whisper in his ear: "Naughty children shouldn't steal~"]
[Your ghostly voice filled him with primal terror]
["Grah—! Die!!"]
[With a contorted face, he launched a Source Power-enhanced fist at your head]
[You casually dodged]
["Hitting your teacher? Let me show you some discipline!!"]
[Another flash of steel]
[His ugly head went airborne, tumbling twice]
[At the peak of its arc, countless blade lights wove a deadly net]
[The head disintegrated into minced flesh before Source Power scattered every last particle]
[His remaining body received identical treatment - utterly erased from existence]
[He came quietly, and left even quieter]
[After cleaning up, you discreetly landed within Danxia Sect]
[Now you understood Xie Huide's early demise - such repeated blows of despair must have shattered his spirit]
[Striding cheerfully into the main hall]
[You found Xie Huide slumped in a chair, pallid and broken]
[Deng Rusong was nowhere to be seen]
[Seeing you enter, Xie Huide's lips moved soundlessly]
[You smiled lightly: "Old Xie, why so glum?"]
[Lifting his head with effort, Xie Huide rasped: "Young Master He... I cannot... exchange for your Reviving Yang Pill..."]
[Taking the adjacent seat, you asked calmly: "Failed to secure the Earth Source?"]
[Xie Huide looked up startled before shaking his head bitterly: "We had it... but then... sigh..."]
[You spoke gently: "Old Xie, I understand your pain. But don't despair - this isn't irreparable."]
[Confused eyes met yours]
[With a soft chuckle: "You may doubt this, but I'll trade the Reviving Yang Pill even without the Earth Source."]
[Xie Huide gaped in shock: "Young Master He! Can this be true?!"]
["Absolutely."]
[Opening your palm revealed a thumb-sized pale green pill]
[Its medicinal aroma immediately lifted spirits and cleared minds]
[Xie Huide trembled violently, his feverish gaze locked onto your palm, unable to look away]