Just then—
A thunderous roar echoed through the sky.
"Presumptuous!"
"Release my Young Master at once!"
The sound exploded like thunder.
Birds scattered from the surrounding forest.
Mo Yu looked up.
An elderly man dressed in black robes was striding through the air, rushing toward them with overwhelming momentum.
The moment Qin Shou saw him, hope reignited in his eyes.
"Uncle Kui!"
His Dao Protector.
Qin Kui.
A peak Golden Core cultivator at the Ninth Layer.
The source of all his confidence.
Behind him stood the Qin Family.
A clan with a thousand-year legacy.
A family that possessed Soul Transformation experts.
Their foundation far exceeded anything a rogue cultivator from this remote region could compare to.
Even among Golden Core cultivators, Qin Kui's combat experience, cultivation techniques, and spirit treasures far surpassed ordinary cultivators.
Today...
This arrogant rogue cultivator would definitely pay the price.
---
Chu Yuli frowned slightly.
A trace of concern surfaced in her heart.
That old man was also capable of walking through the air.
Another Golden Core expert.
If Master fought such a powerful opponent...
Would he be injured?
---
At that moment, another voice echoed through the heavens.
"Fellow Daoist!"
"I have come to lend a hand!"
Mo Yu turned toward the source of the voice.
An old man in white robes drifted through the sky.
His demeanor was elegant and immortal-like.
Every movement radiated the bearing of a seasoned expert.
Qin Kui's expression darkened.
"I advise you not to meddle in matters that do not concern you!"
His furious roar shook the surrounding mountains.
The newcomer was also a Ninth-Layer Golden Core cultivator.
If he joined forces with Mo Yu, the situation would become troublesome.
The old man stroked his beard and laughed.
"I am True Monarch Xuanfeng of Xuanjian Villa."
"Sensing rampant devilish energy in this region, I came specifically to eliminate demons and uphold righteousness."
Then he looked at Mo Yu.
"Fellow Daoist, do not worry."
"To deal with him, I alone am enough."
Mo Yu immediately cupped his fists.
"Many thanks."
Any force bearing the character "Xuan" within the Heavenly Profound Domain was usually affiliated with the Heavenly Profound Holy Land.
In other words.
One of their own.
His gaze shifted back to Qin Shou.
"Now then."
"We can have a proper conversation."
Qin Shou's face darkened.
He wasn't worried.
At least not yet.
There was no way True Monarch Xuanfeng could defeat Qin Kui.
All he needed to do was stall for time.
---
Meanwhile—
Qin Kui let out a cold snort.
A pitch-black sword appeared in his hand.
Without hesitation, he bit the tip of his tongue and spat out a mouthful of essence blood.
The blood merged into the sword.
The blade immediately erupted with terrifying devilish energy.
Countless black wisps swirled around it.
The sky itself seemed to darken.
Qin Kui formed a sword seal.
The demonic sword let out a shrill cry.
Then it shot forward.
Like a black comet tearing through the heavens.
Straight toward True Monarch Xuanfeng.
The latter's expression changed.
He immediately summoned his flying sword to intercept.
Clang!
The two swords collided.
Then—
Crack.
His flying sword shattered instantly.
Like tofu meeting a divine blade.
True Monarch Xuanfeng's pupils contracted violently.
"Spirit Artifact?!"
His voice rose several octaves.
A Spirit Artifact.
A treasure normally possessed only by Nascent Soul cultivators.
Yet Qin Kui had one.
Before he could react further, the demonic sword continued forward unabated.
Its target—
His forehead.
True Monarch Xuanfeng nearly cursed aloud.
"Fellow Daoist, help!"
"Let us join forces to slay this demon!"
As he shouted, he desperately condensed a spiritual barrier.
His heart was full of regret.
If I had known this old monster possessed a Spirit Artifact, I wouldn't have come here to show off!
Now I might actually die!
---
Seeing this, Mo Yu sighed helplessly.
Defeated so quickly?
What a disappointment.
He casually flicked a strand of spiritual energy into Qin Shou's body.
Instantly, Qin Shou's Golden Core was sealed.
Then Mo Yu tossed him aside like a sack of potatoes.
The next moment—
His figure vanished.
---
When he reappeared, he was already standing before True Monarch Xuanfeng.
The incoming demonic sword was mere inches away.
Mo Yu calmly raised two fingers.
Then—
Clamped down.
Clang.
The world fell silent.
The demonic sword stopped completely.
Caught between two fingers.
Everyone froze.
---
Qin Kui's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
His face was filled with disbelief.
That attack contained his full strength.
He had even burned essence blood.
It was unquestionably the strongest strike he could unleash beneath the Nascent Soul Realm.
And yet...
It had been stopped so casually.
As though someone had plucked a leaf from the air.
True Monarch Xuanfeng was equally stunned.
Moments later, his old face flushed red with embarrassment.
The other party hadn't needed his help at all.
Not even a little.
---
Chu Yuli stared blankly at the scene.
Her eyes sparkled.
Master is so cool!
---
Mo Yu stood there in flowing white robes.
The demonic sword remained trapped between his fingers.
Like an immortal descending from the heavens.
With a casual flick of his wrist, he threw the sword away.
The blade shot downward and embedded itself deep into the earth.
Then—
Mo Yu moved.
His figure blurred.
An afterimage remained where he had stood.
The real Mo Yu had already appeared directly before Qin Kui.
A long spear materialized in his hand.
Ancient runes flowed across its surface.
Terrifying fluctuations radiated from it.
The spear tip gleamed with a chilling light.
An overwhelming killing intent erupted.
It pierced directly toward Qin Kui's heart.
---
Danger!
A terrifying sense of crisis exploded within Qin Kui's mind.
For the first time in centuries, he smelled death.
Without hesitation, he summoned a black shield.
A giant turtle pattern glowed vividly upon its surface.
Heavy and ancient.
Like an immovable mountain.
Boom!
The spear collided with the shield.
For an instant—
Silence.
Then the shield shattered.
Like fragile glass.
The fragments scattered across the sky.
The spear continued forward without slowing in the slightest.
Pfft!
Blood splashed through the air.
The spear pierced directly through Qin Kui's chest.
Yet not a single drop stained Mo Yu's white robes.
---
Qin Kui lowered his head slowly.
His eyes were full of disbelief.
And despair.
A Ninth-Layer Golden Core cultivator.
Holding a defensive spirit treasure.
Yet he couldn't withstand a single strike.
Even Nascent Soul cultivators would struggle to destroy that shield so effortlessly.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
His voice trembled.
"You..."
"Who... exactly are you...?"
Mo Yu didn't answer.
He simply flicked his wrist.
A pale white flame erupted from the spear.
The Nether Ghost Fire spread instantly.
Qin Kui didn't even have time to scream.
His body.
His soul.
Everything.
Was reduced to ashes.
Gone forever.
---
Mo Yu withdrew his spear.
The pale flames slowly faded.
Then he glanced around at everyone present.
His expression remained indifferent.
"Is a Ninth-Layer Golden Core cultivator supposed to be impressive?"
The voice wasn't loud.
Yet it clearly reached everyone's ears.
---
True Monarch Xuanfeng was deeply shaken.
Such a simple sentence.
Such a devastating display.
I've learned something today.
Next time I bully Foundation Establishment cultivators...
I'll say that too.
---
Meanwhile, Chu Yuli stared at Mo Yu's back.
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
Master was incredible.
He had instantly killed a Ninth-Layer Golden Core cultivator.
There was no way he was merely in the Golden Core Realm.
Master must be a Nascent Soul expert disguising his cultivation.
Yes.
That had to be it.
She silently made up her mind.
In the future, she would do the same.
Never reveal her true strength to others.
That way, she could surprise her enemies when it mattered most.