"Thank you for the reminder, Daoist. The mountains stand and the rivers flow. We’ll meet again in the Jianghu."

The unease in their hearts grew heavier and heavier.

Zhang Long and the others hastily cupped their fists at Mao Ba, grabbing Zhao Wei’s belongings and preparing to leave.

As for holding a grudge against Wu Dao?

They hadn’t even considered it. They didn’t even plan on notifying their superiors.

A person like Wu Dao...

Unless you were absolutely certain you could crush him in one go, he would be a source of endless trouble, bringing countless problems to the White Whale Martial Arts Hall. In that case, they would become Sinners.

Of course, the most important thing was that the White Whale Martial Arts Hall had no justifiable reason to target Wu Dao. After all, Wu Dao hadn’t killed Zhao Wei himself. At most, one could curse him for watching someone die without helping.

"You people... Forget it."

The trio’s spineless attitude deeply angered Mao Ba, who had been raised with the belief that good and evil could not coexist.

In his eyes, the three of them should have immediately returned to the White Whale Martial Arts Hall headquarters, reported the incident, and issued a Jianghu Pursuit Order to execute the Demon that was Wu Dao.

However, when he remembered that the White Whale Martial Arts Hall wasn’t exactly a force for good either, he couldn’t be bothered to say more. He prepared to take Cloud Heaven Flow’s belongings to the Fangcun Sword Hall later.

RUMBLE—

But just as Zhang Long and the others were about to depart...

A rolling thunderclap shook the air, sending birds scattering in all directions.

A distinctly unnatural wind gusted toward them, carrying a suffocating, explosive bestiality.

In the distance, a colossal beast seemed to be stampeding, shaking the heavens and the earth. It kicked up clouds of dust as it raced toward their position at extreme speed.

’A Spirit Monster?’

’A Great Demon?’

The moment everyone present felt that overwhelming, savage aura—like ten thousand beasts bursting from their cages—their faces changed drastically. Without a second thought, they turned to flee.

A pity...

They were too slow.

They had barely snapped out of their shock...

...when Wu Dao’s Violent Dragon Physique, like red-hot steel, appeared before them, heralded by a furious shockwave that swept through the forest.

In less than the blink of an eye.

BOOM!!

The air churned violently, rushing backward to fill the vacuum.

All the surrounding vegetation was flattened against the ground, swaying violently. Dirt, debris, and shattered stones shot out in all directions like bullets, the sound of THUD THUD THUD echoing without end.

Zhang Long and the other two, hit by the full force of the storm, used every ounce of their strength just to stay on their feet. They struggled to open their eyes and look.

"Wu Dao!!"

When they saw the familiar yet alien figure at the center of the storm—the towering, formidable silhouette of Wu Dao, who now resembled a Fierce Beast or a Fierce Demon...

...the three men, already psychologically scarred, felt their hearts clench as if squeezed by a giant hand. They collapsed to the ground on the spot.

Mao Ba’s pupils contracted.

He was utterly shaken!

He was an Immortal Dao Cultivator at the Divine Power Peak, with a spirit far surpassing others at his level. How could he not sense that Wu Dao’s Power had more than doubled since last night!

’Heavy, vast, and indestructible!’

’He’s a humanoid steel tyrannosaurus!’

Not to mention...

HISS!

Mao Ba’s head suddenly throbbed with pain. When his Spiritual Perception touched Wu Dao’s body, it slammed into a layer of utterly savage and tyrannical Spirit Armor, nearly making his head explode!

’Spirit Armor!’

’That’s a technique only a Martial Artist who has undergone a Second Rebirth possesses!’

’In just one night!’

’In just a single night, how on earth did he do it?’

’Even with the Demon Pill of the Flesh and Blood Tai Sui...’

’...it’s impossible to digest it all in one night; that process is a Water Grinding Skill.’

All sorts of worldview-shattering events were actually happening with Wu Dao.

For a moment, Mao Ba’s mind was a swirling tempest of emotions: hatred, shock, confusion, bewilderment...

In the end, all those emotions, when Wu Dao’s eyes—completely black, like two abysses—turned to look at him, transformed into the primal, genetic fear of a lesser creature facing a superior Hunter. He began to tremble uncontrollably.

’Mao Ba!’

Wu Dao’s eyes narrowed as he shot a cool glance at the crooked-necked Mao Ba.

When he saw the Broken Sword Fragment of Cloud Heaven Flow in Mao Ba’s hand...

...killing intent flared violently in Wu Dao’s heart.

He hadn’t expected Mao Ba to be so hard to kill!

’His injuries were so severe last night, yet after only a single night, he’s already recovered. He just looks a little weak.’

But!

Mao Ba’s mistake was returning to the scene so soon!

’With Mao Ba’s Eye Power...’

’...he can naturally perceive many things that ordinary people can’t, and he’ll know what I did.’

’Add to that his personality—hating evil just like Cloud Heaven Flow did. Once he spreads the word about what happened here...’

’...I, Wu Dao, will definitely be painted as an irredeemable Demon in the Jianghu, a target for every righteous person to execute!’

Wu Dao was not some reckless fool who caused trouble without realizing it, who enjoyed making the world his enemy, ramming his way through life, and constantly screaming for blood.

He didn’t like living a life full of bitterness and deep-seated hatred.

If others didn’t provoke him and no benefits were at stake, he wasn’t some madman who got an itch if he didn’t kill someone for a day.

He only cared for tangible benefits.

Some unnecessary little troubles...

...could clearly be eliminated at the source. Why would he go looking for discomfort?

That wasn’t heroism.

That was just having something seriously wrong with your brain!

So.

Since a hidden danger had been discovered...

...it had to be nipped in the bud!

At this thought, Wu Dao’s Spiritual Perception swept over the surrounding hundred-meter radius. After confirming there were no "outsiders" hiding, a cruel smile slowly formed on his lips.

GULP.

An endless chill instantly enveloped Mao Ba’s soul, as if he’d been targeted by a Fierce Beast. The hairs on his body stood on end, his chest tightened, and the Heart Lake Alarm Bell rang wildly.

How could he not know?

Wu Dao already wanted to kill him!

"Daoist, fancy seeing you here."

Wu Dao cracked his neck, producing a series of CRUNCHING sounds. His pitch-black eyes, like those of an Evil Beast, were fixed on Mao Ba, who was slowly backing away in the distance, his hand reaching into his Gua Bag as if facing a great enemy.

A faint smile played on his lips. "Don’t be so nervous. I, too, deeply regret Yun’s death.

By the looks of it, Daoist...

...you want to take Yun back to his Village?

Tsk.

It’s a long and arduous journey.

How about...

...I see you off on your way!!"

BOOM!!

Before his words had even faded...

...a thunderclap erupted from the ground. The earth violently disintegrated and caved in, with soil and rock undulating like waves.

He couldn’t be bothered with any more nonsense!

He attacked directly!

His steel tyrannosaurus body crushed the air, tearing through the violent winds. Its unrivaled Power unleashed a furious gale!

In less time than a finger snap...

...the sky-blotting, imposing physique, radiating a brutal and vicious might, had already appeared before Mao Ba!

"Don’t even think about it!!"

At this life-or-death moment, a fierce look appeared on Mao Ba’s face as he activated the last silver Talisman in his Gua Bag.

After deciding to return to the scene...

...to avoid any surprises...

...he had activated this final silver Talisman in advance. Now, with a single thought, he unleashed its Mighty Power!

This Talisman—

The Golden Bell Talisman!!

DONG—

A brilliant golden light flared, and a large bell enveloped his body!

Wu Dao formed a Fist Seal and brought down a majestic Whale Hammer Technique from above.

His steel fist was like a Barbaric Whale in the vast sea, smashing its head against the waves. The immense, heavy Power poured onto the Golden Bell, instantly creating an explosion of sparks as sonic waves shook the surroundings!

DONG!

The mountain-like force collided!

The earth, as if struck by a missile, instantly collapsed and shattered, sending dust and smoke soaring into the sky!

The surrounding ground continuously shattered, churning and rising like ocean waves. The violent airflow exploded in concentric rings, kicking up a towering cloud of yellow dust that billowed and surged.