The young cultivator, carrying dual swords on his back and a perpetual smile on his face, was known for this demeanor only among the Qi Refining stage disciples of the Divine Star Sect. This was Ouyang Hao, ranked fourth among the inner disciples of the sect.

In just five years since joining the sect, he had rapidly advanced to the eighth level of Qi Refining. What made him most notorious was his merciless stance against demonic cultivators; he killed them on sight without hesitation.

After the Five Sects' campaign against demons, three of the top ten inner disciples of the Infinite Sect had fallen to Ouyang Hao. Such was his reputation that the remaining disciples of the Infinite Sect would rather face a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator than encounter Ouyang Hao — with righteous cultivators, there might be a chance of survival, but Ouyang Hao was known for his lethal resolve.

The Grand Elder of the Divine Star Sect had praised Ouyang Hao profusely, declaring that once Ouyang Hao achieved Foundation Establishment, he would take him as his direct disciple.

Ouyang Hao was indeed a rising star within the Divine Star Sect, with even those ranked above him in the Qi Refining stage not entirely confident they could best him.

His arrival at Peace Market was surely not for mundane shopping. Chu Xuan was not particularly worried about Ouyang Hao himself; with his current strength, defeating Ouyang Hao would not pose much difficulty.

His concern was whether Ouyang Hao was accompanied by others, perhaps even a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator from the Divine Star Sect lurking in the background. That would complicate matters significantly.

After considering his options, Chu Xuan decided to hold his ground and adapt to the situation as it evolved.

Click, clack.

Ouyang Hao made his way directly toward the teahouse. As a cultivator exited the teahouse and recognized him, he exclaimed in shock, "Ouyang Hao?!"

Ouyang Hao raised an eyebrow at the man and smiled, "Do you realize you've just ruined everything?"

Before the cultivator could respond, Ouyang Hao swiftly drew his sword. With a flash of his blade, the man's legs were severed at the knees.

"I don't know if you're associated with demonic cultivators, but I'll spare your life for now. We'll interrogate you later," Ouyang Hao declared, ignoring the man's screams as he hastened into the teahouse.

Inside, Chen Ge and Wei Hua, who had been anxiously awaiting Zhang Cheng's arrival and were vigilantly monitoring their surroundings, caught the commotion at the entrance.

"Ouyang Hao!" The two exchanged a look of alarm and promptly stood up, leaping out of a nearby window to escape the impending danger.

Chu Xuan remained seated, motionless, continuing his tea in quiet repose. Within mere moments, Ouyang Hao ascended to the second floor of the teahouse. His gaze swept searchingly over each cultivator present.

"What are you staring at?" An irate cultivator, unable to bear the scrutiny, barked sharply.

Ouyang Hao, silent, drew his sword in response. A flash of the blade the cultivator's right arm was severed cleanly at the shoulder. Amidst the disbelieving screams of the injured man, Ouyang Hao spoke coolly, "Ouyang Hao of the Divine Star Sect, pursuing the remnants of the Infinite Sect."

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"Did anyone leave just now?" His sword now pointed ominously at the other shoulder of the man, as if indicating that a similar fate awaited the other limb should he remain uncooperative.

"Yes! Two people jumped out the window and ran south!" the unfortunate cultivator cried out in terror.

Frowning, Ouyang Hao dashed to the window. True enough, he saw two figures mounting their flying magical tools, making their escape. Without hesitation, Ouyang Hao hurled a flying sword into the air and mounted it, pursuing them swiftly.

The cultivators inside the teahouse were shaken, their discussions buzzing with questions about who Ouyang Hao was to act so audaciously. Upon learning his identity, they collectively gasped, falling silent. This was the Divine Star Sect's Qi Refining stage prodigy, almost assured of becoming a direct disciple of the Grand Elder. With such stature, who would dare provoke him?

The cultivator whose arm had been cut off, grimacing in pain, quickly tried to stop his bleeding. It was a bitter pill to swallow, one he had no choice but to endure internally.

Chu Xuan, observing all, remained seated, pondering the situation. "It appears Ouyang Hao is alone. What a ripe target..."

After a brief contemplation, Chu Xuan mounted his own flying sword and stealthily followed.

In the sky, three streaks of light chased each other. Chen Ge and Wei Hua, equipped with only mid-grade flying magical tools, were soon at a disadvantage.

Ouyang Hao, as a favored genius of the Divine Star Sect, possessed superior magical equipment—his flying tool was of the highest quality, accentuating the disparity. Naturally, it didn't take long for Ouyang Hao to catch up to the duo.

"Scum of the Infinite Sect, meet your demise!"

Ouyang Hao's face maintained a warm smile, yet his tone was vicious. He brought his fingers together and thrust forward repeatedly.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Several spear-like Spirit Fingers shot forth. This was the renowned "Spirit Sword Finger," a mid-tier spell of the Qi Refining stage from the Divine Star Sect. Its advantages were low Spiritual Qi consumption, long attack distance, and rapid execution. The downside was its moderate power. However, it was most suitable for pursuit attacks. In an instant, the Spirit Sword Fingers surged forward like a torrential curtain of rain.

The two opponents' pupils constricted as they dodged with all their might, yet they could only evade some of the attacks. Their space to maneuver dwindled rapidly, soon leaving them no room to escape. They were forced to conjure a sinister, small shield behind them.

This was the Mystic Nether Shield, a defensive spell essential for the Qi Refining stage disciples of the Infinite Sect. However, being merely at the fourth level of Qi Refining, how could they compare to the eighth level Ouyang Hao? The Mystic Nether Shield managed to block two Spirit Sword Fingers before shattering abruptly. The remaining Spirit Sword Fingers struck mercilessly, blasting their flying magic tool and splitting it in two, causing them to plummet towards the ground.

Ouyang Hao pursued them without hesitation. Moments later, in a clearing within the forest,

Ouyang Hao, looking at the pale-faced Chen Ge and Wei Hua, smiled. He casually threw a blood-stained bundle at them. A severed head rolled out from the bundle, the eyes of Zhang Cheng wide open in death.

"I encountered this young man while on a mission. He really was stubborn, refusing to speak to the very end. I severed his limbs and threw him into an anthill to suffer the agony of thousands of bites until he finally spoke," Ouyang Hao stated indifferently.

Upon witnessing Zhang Cheng's ghastly death, Chen Ge and Wei Hua felt an overwhelming sense of despair.

"You two are truly weak," sneered Ouyang Hao. "You couldn't even handle a single move of my Spirit Sword Finger. Capturing you and taking you back to the sect wouldn't even earn me much merit. It would be easier just to kill you."

Smiling, Ouyang Hao drew the twin swords from his back. Suddenly, a gust of wind struck. His expression shifted slightly as he swiftly drew his sword and slashed behind him.

Clang!

A stone was abruptly sent flying.

Approaching him was a cultivator with a face as fine as white jade, though his features were not gentle but rather sharp and piercing.

The appearance of this pale-faced man momentarily stunned Chen Ge and Wei Hua. Could someone actually be coming to their rescue?

"You seem somewhat capable. Which scum of the Infinite Sect are you?" Ouyang Hao scrutinized the newcomer, Chu Xuan, and inquired.

He felt a hint of threat emanating from this pale-faced man, a clear sign of formidable strength.