Lou Feng stared at Jiang Hao, who had achieved the Perfect Foundation Establishment realm, still unable to believe it. However, there was no time to dwell on his disbelief.

He had to kill Jiang Hao.

Lou Feng spat out a mouthful of blood. With his life essence as a guide, drops of fresh blood began seeping out from his body. Each drop radiated searing energy and shot toward Jiang Hao like meteors.

Meanwhile, Qing Xue didn’t remain idle and launched her own assault.

As the blood rained down, creating an unending bombardment, Jiang Hao had to dodge while countering the sword shadows Qing Xue sent his way.

The blood splattered on the ground, leaving massive craters in its wake.

Boom!Sword light swept through, shattering trees into splinters.

Under the dark night sky, sparks erupted from clashes of blade and sword. Each move was a contest of life and death.

Jiang Hao was besieged, and if the situation dragged on, defeat was inevitable.

Ignoring the blood attacks, he wielded the Shadow Blade and unleashed Demonic Sound Slash, its thunderous presence directed toward Qing Xue.

Qing Xue countered with her strongest technique.

Boom!The blade and sword collided, their power rippling out in shockwaves, leveling the surrounding area.

As the clash with Qing Xue continued, Lou Feng noticed most of his blood attacks being deflected by Jiang Hao's protective artifact.

Seizing the moment, Lou Feng infused his blade with his life essence, strengthening it before charging at Jiang Hao with terrifying speed.

With Qing Xue attacking head-on and Lou Feng flanking, the situation seemed dire.

Yet Jiang Hao remained calm. His gaze toward Lou Feng took on a faint purple glow, which quickly spread throughout his body.

The blade descended.

Jiang Hao tilted his head slightly, dodging the strike, then raised his hand and lightly tapped the blade with the back of his finger.

Purple energy had already surged to his fingertips.

Clang!A crisp sound echoed as the blade snapped in two.

The broken blade flew through the air as Lou Feng realized something was amiss. However, before he could react, a purple-tinged palm struck his chest with blinding speed.

Bang!Crack!

The force penetrated his entire body, shattering ribs and pulverizing his internal organs.

Splat!Lou Feng spat out blood as he was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Turning his gaze to Qing Xue, Jiang Hao activated the Primordial Mind Technique, fully mobilizing the purple energy. The Shadow Blade in his hand was now also enveloped in this energy.

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As he swung the blade, an overwhelming force erupted, forcing Qing Xue to retreat.

Before she could regain her footing, Jiang Hao slashed once more, the purple-infused Demonic Sound Slash carving a perfect arc through the air.

Whoosh!The blade light tore through everything in its path, piercing Qing Xue's body.

As she landed, disbelief filled her face. Her mind was consumed by a single question: Why is he so strong?

Crack!Her sword shattered cleanly in two, falling to the ground.

Not only that, cracks spread across her body, her life force rapidly fading.

Seeing this, Lou Feng, who had barely gotten up, was terrified. He stumbled to his feet, attempting to flee.

Thunk!He barely made it a few steps before the Shadow Blade pierced his neck, pinning him to a tree.

Jiang Hao had thrown the blade.

“We’re dead, and everyone will know you did it,” Qing Xue said, her eyes filled with unending hatred.

“Mm.” Jiang Hao nodded.

“I know, but no one will come to investigate. That’s what you told me.”

As his words fell, Jiang Hao pulled out ten Ten Thousand Sword Talismans, each carrying the power of the Foundation Establishment realm.

Even if they were at the early Foundation Establishment stage, it was more than enough.

He divided the talismans into two groups—seven for Qing Xue, three for Lou Feng—and activated them.

In an instant, countless sword lights filled the air.

Moments later, Jiang Hao surveyed the two areas where Qing Xue and Lou Feng had been. Their bodies were mangled beyond recognition, reduced to mere remnants.

They were utterly dead.

Splat!As the battle concluded, Jiang Hao spat out a mouthful of blood.

From the beginning, his breakthrough had been forceful, leaving his body in a weakened state. The recent fight, coupled with the extreme activation of the Primordial Mind Technique, had worsened his injuries.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have wasted the Ten Thousand Sword Talismans and would have finished them off personally.

With the danger averted, Jiang Hao sat cross-legged and began healing his injuries.

However, before long, the sound of approaching footsteps broke his focus.

Five demons had been drawn to the commotion.

Sighing deeply, Jiang Hao muttered, “Trouble never comes alone…”

One Month Later.

Near the exit of the Demon Cavern, Zheng Shijiu of the Ice Moon Valley stood, holding a paper fan, gazing into the distance.

He seemed lost in thought.

“Senior Brother, you came quite early. I assume you gained quite a bit from this trip?” Xin Yuyue from Thunderfire Peak arrived, her sword gliding through the air.

The Demon Cavern held numerous treasures, and with effort, one could always find something valuable.

She had encountered her share of fortune, escaping unscathed.

For her, the sect mission had been rewarding enough even without the official rewards.

Zheng Shijiu smiled lightly and replied, “It seems Junior Sister had good fortune. I wasn’t so lucky—just some minor gains.”

“Senior Brother, you’re too modest. By the way, I didn’t encounter many demons on my way back. Not a single one near the exit. Do you think this means the mission is complete?” Xin Yuyue asked.

“Indeed. I didn’t encounter many demons either. The real danger came from some wild beasts,” Zheng Shijiu replied with a nod.

At this, Xin Yuyue turned her gaze to the distance and asked curiously, “Do you think Junior Brother Jiang can make it back?”

“Highly unlikely,” Zheng Shijiu said after a brief pause.

“I actually tracked their movements and discovered that Lou Feng and Qing Xue were working together with a clear goal in mind. They likely confronted Junior Brother Jiang in the end.

“With one in the late Foundation Establishment realm and the other at the Perfect Foundation Establishment realm, even with some tricks up his sleeve, Junior Brother Jiang wouldn’t have survived.”

“Well, nothing we can do about that,” Xin Yuyue said, shrugging. “After all, we weren’t there to witness what happened.”

“What if Junior Brother Jiang does make it back?” she asked with renewed curiosity.

“It’s impossible,” Zheng Shijiu replied, shaking his head.

“But what if he does?” Xin Yuyue pressed.

Zheng Shijiu’s expression turned grim.

“If he comes back… it would be a disaster.”