Chapter 527 501: A Tyrannical Master

The voice was unnaturally cold—a cold that seeped into one's heart, into the very depths of one's soul. Standing beside Zhaang Ye, Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi felt an icy chill wash over them the moment they heard it. The blood and Innate True Qi in their bodies seemed to freeze, and their minds went completely blank.

"What a terrifying expert! Master, this person's cultivation is at least at the Peak of True Dao Fourth Layer, maybe even a True Dao Fifth Layer expert!" The Fire Spirit, who had been busy planting Spirit Elixirs in the Fire Spirit Realm, quickly called out to warn Zhaang Ye.

Zhaang Ye's brow furrowed slightly. 'This mission was supposed to be easy. I never expected the five leaders of the Tornado Thieves to have such a powerful master behind them. If he's a Peak of True Dao Fourth Layer expert, I'm confident I could kill him. But if he's at the True Dao Fifth Layer, I won't be able to handle him.'

Once a Cultivator entered the True Dao Realm, their strength would increase dramatically with each layer they advanced. An expert at the True Dao Fifth Layer was two to three times stronger than someone at the Peak of True Dao Fourth Layer. Even if Zhaang Ye and the Fire Spirit teamed up, they would still be no match for him!

'An ordinary assessment mission actually provoked such a formidable expert! Something about this doesn't feel right!' Zhaang Ye had a vague, sinking feeling.

But there was no time for Zhaang Ye to think it over. He took a sharp breath and barked, "Go!"

Before the sound of his voice had even faded, his figure turned into a gust of wind and vanished. Jarred from their terror by Zhaang Ye's shout, Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi instinctively activated their Body Techniques and fled frantically into the distance.

The four had just activated their Body Techniques when a red-faced old man with large, flowing sleeves suddenly appeared twenty miles away. The red-faced elder pursued Zhaang Ye directly, but upon seeing Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi, he said grimly, "Go? You think you can get away? My five apprentices are dead, so you can all join them in death!"

BUZZ!

With a wave of his sleeve, the red-faced elder, Baili Lie Fire, caused the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi for dozens of miles around to churn wildly, forming a gigantic hand. This enormous hand abruptly appeared above Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi. Four of its massive fingers tapped lightly downward.

SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT! SPLAT!

Struck by the hand formed from Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, the four True Dao Experts—Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi—instantly exploded into four clouds of blood mist. The moment the mist appeared in the air, it burst into flames. In the blink of an eye, the four vibrant True Dao Experts were reduced to ashes, vanishing from the world.

'What terrifying methods!' By now, Zhaang Ye had already fled over a hundred miles. Sensing the technique Baili Lie Fire had just used, his expression changed slightly.

Zhaang Ye could easily control Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, forming it into a hand to kill someone. But to do as Baili Lie Fire had—controlling it from twenty miles away to obliterate four True Dao Experts—was something Zhaang Ye was utterly incapable of.

'This old geezer has either comprehended a Realm or his cultivation has reached the True Dao Fifth Layer. Either way, I'm no match for him!'

Zhaang Ye quickly estimated Baili Lie Fire's combat strength and knew he was completely outmatched. He immediately unleashed his Body Technique to its fullest and tore through the air.

Zhaang Ye was now fully utilizing the Wind Realm. He flew so fast that the naked eye could barely follow. As he moved, the air before him was pushed aside, surging outward in all directions like waves. The normally invisible air had become visible, creating a spectacular sight.

After casually obliterating Xia Dayuan, the Bamboo Staff Elder, Xia Lengmu, and Ma Houshi, Baili Lie Fire continued his pursuit of Zhaang Ye. When he saw Zhaang Ye's speed suddenly increase, Baili Lie Fire's pupils constricted slightly. "Eh? To have comprehended the Wind Realm at such a young age! Anyone else would have a hard time dealing with you, but it's your misfortune to have run into me! Meteor Body Technique!"

Baili Lie Fire sneered. A layer of searing flame suddenly erupted around his body, which became illusory, as if it had lost all weight.

BUZZ!

Baili Lie Fire's speed increased wildly, and he transformed into a meteor streaking through the sky. He burned away all the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi around him, and as it burned, his speed grew faster and faster, his aura more and more terrifying. Even from over a hundred miles away, Zhaang Ye could still feel a chilling killing intent!

RUMBLE!

Baili Lie Fire's original speed had been considerably slower than Zhaang Ye's. But after activating the Meteor Body Technique, his speed increased so frantically that even with the Wind Realm, Zhaang Ye couldn't shake him!

'Such terrifying speed! A True Dao Fifth Layer expert is just too powerful. Even with the Wind Realm, I can't escape his pursuit!' Zhaang Ye was horrified.

But if Zhaang Ye was horrified, Baili Lie Fire was even more so. The Meteor Body Technique he was using was a Top-grade Innate Body Technique, profound and fast, capable of crossing a thousand miles in the blink of an eye like a shooting star. Baili Lie Fire had thought that after using the Meteor Body Technique, he would be able to quickly catch up to Zhaang Ye, kill him with ease, and avenge his apprentices.

Baili Lie Fire had never imagined Zhaang Ye's speed would be so astonishing. Zhaang Ye's figure was clearly just over a hundred miles away, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't close the distance by even a single foot!

Baili Lie Fire couldn't close the gap, and Zhaang Ye couldn't shake him. The two flew silently through the sky, each using their own Body Technique.

Zhaang Ye was flying toward the Green Cloud Sect. The Green Cloud Sect was an immense power, its direct sphere of influence spanning tens of millions of miles. In other words, Zhaang Ye only needed to fly five million miles to enter the sect's territory and be safe.

Within the nations under the Green Cloud Sect's control, powerful experts from the sect were stationed. These experts would absolutely not allow a disciple from their own sect to be hunted down by others.

Seeing Zhaang Ye flying straight toward the Green Cloud Sect, Baili Lie Fire's eyes narrowed slightly. He said in a low voice, "Brat, which power are you from? Spit it out!"

Zhaang Ye considered this for a moment. 'In the Purple Spirit Domain, the Green Cloud Sect is one of the most powerful forces. If I announce my sect, it might make this old geezer back down.'

With this in mind, Zhaang Ye called out, "I am a disciple of the Green Cloud Sect. If you know what's good for you, old man, you'll turn back now. I can't be bothered to hold this against you."

"Green Cloud Sect?"

Hearing those three words, the killing intent radiating from Baili Lie Fire grew even stronger. He gnashed his teeth and said, "Good, good! So you're a disciple of the Green Cloud Sect! A few months ago, your Green Cloud Sect's Third Elder sent experts to kill me, and I barely escaped with my life.

I haven't even settled that score with you yet, and now you've killed my apprentices! Green Cloud Sect, today I will kill one of your disciples and show you just how formidable I am!"

Baili Lie Fire's voice was like shards of Profound Ice, unnaturally cold. Zhaang Ye felt the man's hatred and couldn't help but feel frustrated. 'I miscalculated! I thought bringing up the sect's name would make Baili Lie Fire hesitate. I never expected this old geezer to be a sworn enemy of the sect!'

Although Zhaang Ye was frustrated, he wasn't overly worried. He had already pushed his speed to its absolute limit, and it was impossible for Baili Lie Fire to catch up.

There was a distance of over one hundred thirty miles between them. At such a great distance, no matter how powerful Baili Lie Fire was, he couldn't do anything to him.

Behind Zhaang Ye, a vicious glint flashed in Baili Lie Fire's eyes. He knew his own speed was not enough to catch Zhaang Ye. Therefore, if he wanted to kill him, there was only one way: send an expert to intercept him.

Baili Lie Fire was currently just over one hundred thirty miles from Zhaang Ye. As long as he sent someone to intercept Zhaang Ye, even for a moment, he could close the distance and strike him down!

SWOOSH!

Baili Lie Fire stretched out an arm and took a small, vermilion bird from his robes. The bird's body was tiny, but its wings were very large. Most remarkably, its entire body was wonderfully streamlined, with wisps of a light breeze brushing past it. One look was enough to tell it was no ordinary creature.

'This Fiery Sun Hummingbird is born with an understanding of the power of wind, and its flight speed is as fast as lightning. We are only just over three million miles from the Water Spirit Sect. I'll use this Sunbird to notify that old geezer named Shui and have him intercept this brat!

This brat comprehended the Wind Realm at such a young age; he must be a disciple the Green Cloud Sect is heavily nurturing. As long as I can kill him, it'll be worth owing that old geezer Shui a favor!'

Baili Lie Fire muttered to himself, frantically pouring Innate True Qi into the Sunbird's body before waving his arm.

BUZZ!

With Baili Lie Fire's wave, the Sunbird transformed into a streak of red light and vanished. Birds are natural fliers, and the Sunbird was a unique species among them. Aided by the Innate True Qi, its flight speed was thirty percent faster than even Zhaang Ye's. In an instant, it shot past him, flying hundreds of miles ahead!

"Hm? What a fast bird!"

Zhaang Ye sensed a red shadow fly over his head. His Spiritual Sense was exceptionally sharp, and with a single sweep, he immediately knew that the red shadow was actually a vermilion bird.

Watching this astonishingly fast bird, Zhaang Ye felt a vague sense of unease. He extended his arm and took out the Mysterious Blade Tip.

--

I've shamelessly returned... *sob*...

---(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with Recommendation Tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)