Chapter 154: Wrathfully Slaying the Life-Taking Skull, Similar Thoughts

Chapter 154: Wrathfully Slaying the Life-Taking Skull, Similar Thoughts

The Life-Taking Skull was a powerful subordinate of the Fire Massacre Demon Lord, a mid-level Grand Master who had killed countless people, his victims becoming nourishment for his cultivation.

His signature weapon, the Skull Staff, was an extraordinary treasure.

Faced with an impending crisis, the Life-Taking Skull was a decisive individual. He immediately unleashed his Life-Taking Secret Art, shattering his robe and infusing the Skull Staff with a sanguine aura.

His body withered away instantly.

Confident in his ability to repel Xu Yan with this secret art and buy himself time to escape, the Life-Taking Skull had no qualms about his chances. Even if he couldn't flee, he could always take his opponent with him. Even if he couldn't kill Xu Yan on the spot, as long as he inflicted injuries, the insidious nature of his martial art ensured that recovery was impossible.

Even if his opponent survived by some miracle, their martial foundation would be severely damaged, reducing them to a half-cripple!

At least his death would not be in vain!

On a previous occasion, when he was besieged by four or five Grand Masters, he had used this Life-Taking Secret Art. Although the cost was high, he had escaped the encirclement, and the Grand Masters who had attacked him had all been badly injured, their strength diminished by half.

With the help of the Demon Lord, he had devoured the essence blood of a dozen Grand Masters to slowly recover.

This time, although Xu Yan's strength exceeded his expectations, the Life-Taking Skull was confident he could escape with his life.

It would just take some time and the consumption of some warriors' essence blood to gradually recover.

However, Xu Yan suddenly flew into a rage. The terrifying killing intent made the Life-Taking Skull feel an icy chill throughout his body, and he couldn't help but tremble.

Even his consciousness seemed to be impacted.

Just as he was about to unleash his Life-Taking Secret Art, it suddenly slowed down, unable to be executed in an instant.

Before his eyes, the mountains and rivers seemed to transform into evil spirits, and a sword-wielding fiend rushed towards him!

The Life-Taking Skull was bewildered. Why was his opponent so enraged just because he had shattered his robe?

It was just a piece of clothing, not even yours!

Spirit tickets?

Were they your spirit tickets?

None of that mattered now. In the moments before his death, the Life-Taking Skull suddenly realized his biggest mistake—he shouldn't have shattered his robe.

And he definitely shouldn't have blown up the pouch of spirit tickets he was carrying along with his robe.

As a mass-murdering Grand Master of the demonic sect, how could he care about carrying spirit tickets? If he needed more, he could always slaughter and rob more people.

So, he had blown them up decisively!

But that very action had completely enraged Xu Yan. Without his money, Xu Yan naturally had no reservations about unleashing his anger!

A terrifying sword strike fell, and the Life-Taking Skull didn't even have time to unleash his Life-Taking Secret Art before he was slashed to death.

His body disintegrated into flying ash and scattered.

Only the Skull Staff, infused with the sanguine aura, turned blood-red and fell to the ground.

Xu Yan was furious. "You demon brat, you've gone too far! Fire Massacre Demon Lord, eh? Mark my words, if you don't compensate me with a few million spirit crystals, you will undoubtedly die!"

Not far away, Meng Shushu, who had been watching the battle, was stunned. His entire body was shaken, and his heart felt flustered. "Brother Xu is truly terrifying when he's angry. It's too scary. I can't afford to be lazy anymore. I must strive to find spirit herbs and get him that storage bag I owe him as soon as possible!"

It was too frightening.

The Life-Taking Skull had been able to hold his ground initially, but because he had shattered his robe and destroyed the pouch of spirit tickets he was carrying, he had enraged Xu Yan.

That angry sword strike was absolutely terrifying.

With a single strike, the Life-Taking Skull, who had been prepared to fight desperately, didn't even have time to unleash his secret technique before he was utterly annihilated!

After dealing with the Life-Taking Skull, Meng Shushu breathed a sigh of relief. Although they had encountered a Grand Master, Xu Yan, as always, was invincible and easily dealt with the opponent.

As Meng Chong returned to Xu Yan's side, he heard Xu Yan grumbling, "This really makes me mad. I've taken a huge loss this time and gained nothing.

"This debt must be placed on the head of the Fire Massacre Demon Lord. If he doesn't compensate me with a few million spirit crystals... no, a few tens of millions of spirit crystals, or work as my laborer to earn money, he won't get away with it!"

Meng Shushu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He had a feeling that the Fire Massacre Demon Lord might be in for some trouble after offending Xu Yan, and his fate might not be a pleasant one.

"Brother Xu, you didn't entirely gain nothing. Look at that Skull Staff. It's not an ordinary treasure; it's quite valuable."

Meng Shushu looked at the Skull Staff that had fallen to the ground.

Xu Yan reached out and retrieved the Skull Staff. The blood-red staff looked exceptionally evil, as if it had devoured countless essence blood.

The Life-Taking Skull had just begun to channel his secret art, and the sanguine aura had only just merged into the Skull Staff when he was killed, causing the power of the secret art to remain within the staff.

This doubled the value of the Skull Staff.

"You mean this Skull Staff? How much do you think it's worth?"

Xu Yan felt slightly better, thinking that he hadn't completely gained nothing.

"I'm not sure, but it's definitely valuable," Meng Shushu replied with a shake of his head.

Xu Yan examined the Skull Staff thoughtfully. "This Skull Staff contains the Life-Taking Skull's secret art. If triggered, it would be like a full-force strike from a Grand Master.

"It's quite valuable. It should be worth a few million spirit crystals, right?"

Meng Chong seemed to have an idea. "Brother, do you think it would be even better to give this Skull Staff to Sister Meng? Maybe she could use it."

Xu Yan thought this made sense. Sister Meng was an Alchemist Warrior, skilled in refining pills. Perhaps she could make use of the Blood Inferno Fire Power contained within the Skull Staff.

Moreover, even if she couldn't utilize it, it could still serve as a protective item for Sister Meng.

After all, the Skull Staff contained the power of a Grand Master's secret art.

"Then let's give it to Sister Meng!" Xu Yan nodded.

However, Meng Shushu spoke up. "Brother Xu, the Three Great Countries and some other major forces have actually put out a bounty on the Life-Taking Skull. Anyone who kills him can claim the reward."

Xu Yan's spirits immediately lifted, and he hurriedly asked, "How much is the bounty?"

"Combined, it should be around two to three million spirit crystals. The Life-Taking Skull has killed countless people, and warriors from the various major forces have fallen victim to him. The bounty has always been out there.

"It's just that no one has been able to claim it. Now that you've killed him, Brother Xu, you should be able to collect the reward with the token, right?"

Meng Shushu thought for a moment before speaking.

"The Life-Taking Skull's token?" Xu Yan looked at the Skull Staff. This would naturally be the best token, but since he intended to give it to his sister, it wouldn't be suitable to use it as proof.

His gaze swept the ground, and he spotted the shattered fragments of the robe.

He reached out and picked up one of the pieces, which had an embroidered, incomplete pattern.

"Can this be used as proof?"

Meng Shushu wanted to speak but hesitated. How could this be proof? No one would believe it!

"I've got it!"

Xu Yan patted Meng Shushu's shoulder. "I have a task for you. Spread the word that I, Xu Yan, the Sword God, removed this demon for the sake of the bounty offered by the major forces, even at the risk of offending the Fire Massacre Demon Lord.

"Do you understand? I killed the Life-Taking Skull for their sake. Since they've put out a bounty, they can't go back on their word now, can they?

"No one has been able to claim it until now. With the token, you should be able to collect the reward, Brother Xu, now that you've killed him." Meng Shushu replied after a moment's thought.

"The Life-Taking Skull's token?" Xu Yan looked at the Skull Staff. This would naturally be the best token, but since he intended to give it to his sister, it wouldn't be suitable to use it as proof.

His gaze swept the ground, and he spotted the shattered fragments of the robe. He picked up a piece with an embroidered, incomplete pattern.

"Can this be used as proof?"

Meng Shushu wanted to speak but hesitated. How could this be considered proof? No one would believe it!

"I've got it!" Xu Yan patted Meng Shushu's shoulder. "I have a task for you. Spread the word that I, Xu Yan, the Sword God, removed this demon for the sake of the bounty offered by the major forces, even at the risk of offending the Fire Massacre Demon Lord.

"Make it known that I killed the Life-Taking Skull for their sake. Since they've put out a bounty, they can't go back on their word now, can they?"

Meng Shushu hastily assured, "Brother Xu, rest assured, I will handle this matter properly and let the entire Inner Realm know that you risked offending the Fire Massacre Demon Lord to eliminate this evil for the sake of those forces."

"Tell them that I will visit each of them soon," Xu Yan added excitedly, pleased that his efforts had not been in vain.

The three continued their journey and arrived at Lanping County. Meng Shushu left after changing his appearance, agreeing to keep in touch.

Xu Yan and Meng Chong then made their way to Tieshan County, being careful to conceal their tracks and avoid populated areas to prevent their trail from being traced.

They encountered no further attacks on their way back to Tieshan County.

"Junior Brother, you go back first and inform Master and Senior Sister that I will return within a month. I need to claim the bounty, collect the stored spirit herbs, and buy the spirit herbs on Senior Sister's list," Xu Yan instructed as they parted ways.

"Senior Brother, don't worry. After Senior Sister refines the pills, I'll deliver them to Uncle and Aunt," Meng Chong nodded.

"Thank you, Junior Brother. Go back now, and I'll stay here to keep watch and see if anyone tracks us here," Xu Yan said.

"Okay!" Meng Chong agreed, carrying a large bag of spirit herbs. The Heaven-Drip Marrow and the other sixth-grade spirit herbs were wrapped in a small package and hung around his chest, with a sword at his waist and the Skull Staff in his hand.

He disappeared into the endless mountains, returning to the remote wilderness.

Xu Yan sat down on a large tree, silently waiting and keeping guard in case anyone followed them there.

After three days without any pursuers, Xu Yan glanced back at the direction of the remote wilderness and then left without looking back. His next destination was to claim the bounty for killing the Life-Taking Skull.

In the Inner Realm, the martial arts world was in an uproar.

The infamous Life-Taking Skull, a ruthless killer and a Grand Master of the demonic sect, had been slain!

And the one who had done it was none other than the Sword God, Xu Yan, the peerless genius who had shaken the Seven Stars Academy with his formidable prowess.

Rumors spread that Xu Yan had discovered the bounties offered by the Three Great Countries and other major forces, and in his fury at the Life-Taking Skull's brutality, he had dared to defy the Fire Massacre Demon Lord to hunt down and kill the evil Grand Master.

According to an anonymous witness who had been fortunate enough to observe the battle, the fight had been intense. Driven by his hatred for the Life-Taking Skull's cruelty, Xu Yan had unleashed an unparalleled sword technique, reducing the Life-Taking Skull to ashes with a single strike.

The only thing that remained of the Life-Taking Skull was a fragment of his robe, bearing an incomplete emblem of the Fire Massacre Demon Lord's faction, intentionally left behind by Xu Yan as proof.

Countless prodigies and Grand Masters were astounded by this news.

Was Xu Yan not afraid of the Fire Massacre Demon Lord?

Could it be that he was a Sword Sovereign Cliff's peerless genius, unafraid of the demonic sect?

The story of Xu Yan's slaying of the Life-Taking Skull spread far and wide, and the protagonist himself had already set out to claim the bounty. He now stood outside the first sect where he would collect the reward.

In a small courtyard within the Seven Stars Academy, Du Yuying was cultivating. Her aura had become unusual, emitting a soft white light that gave her an air of holiness.

Her strength had also increased to the First-Grade level.

At her age, such an accomplishment was indeed extraordinary.

At one point, Du Yuying coughed lightly, her face paling slightly as she frowned and slowly ended her cultivation session, opening her eyes.

She fell into contemplation, sighing inwardly. Unbidden, the image of a handsome young man appeared in her mind, causing her heart to stir.

As she stepped out of the cultivation room, Cuier rushed over, her face flushed with excitement. "Miss, miss, the Life-Taking Skull is dead! He was killed by Young Master Xu! It's said that Young Master Xu was appalled by the Life-Taking Skull's brutality and took it upon himself to end his reign of terror.

"But I think Young Master Xu might have done it for you, miss. After all, it was the Life-Taking Skull who meddled in the affairs of the Marquis of Hou's mansion back then."

Du Yuying's eyes brightened for a moment before dimming again. With a bitter smile, she said, "Cuier, how could it be for me? Young Master Xu escorted me purely for the sake of spirit herbs and spirit crystals."

At the time, Xu Yan was indeed a novice, and he was quite poor!

"I still believe that Young Master Xu did it for you, miss. He used the name of She Lingfeng to intimidate those people, and now that his identity has been revealed, he must be worried that they will cause you trouble again.

"So, he took the initiative to eliminate the Life-Taking Skull and deter any other troublemakers.

"Young Master Xu is someone who sees things through to the end. Since he escorted you before, he wouldn't want your life to be affected by his revealed identity." Cuier insisted.

Du Yuying's eyes sparkled as she felt that Cuier's words made sense. Her heart fluttered, and her face flushed as she said, "Cuier, I'm going to start a business to earn spirit crystals and buy spirit herbs. I want to get Young Master Xu a storage bag as soon as possible!"

She remembered how much Xu Yan had admired that storage bag.

"Miss, you can do it!" Cuier nodded excitedly.

At that moment, Du Yuying's eyes shone with determination, and she resolved to work hard. For the sake of the figure in her heart, she would become a wealthy individual!

In the highest level of the Unparalleled Pavilion, the woman in plain clothes sat by a small stream, dipping her delicate white feet in the water as she spoke to her master, "Master, now you should understand how wise I was to advise against your intervention back then."

The Unparalleled Grand Master's expression was grave. While the Life-Taking Skull's strength was indeed inferior to hers, it would not have been an easy task for her to kill him.

After all, once a cultivator reached the level of the Life-Taking Skull, they would have escape routes even if they were at a disadvantage in a fight.

What was even more shocking was Xu Yan's display at the Seven Stars Academy, where he had crushed a Grand Master with a single palm strike.

That was a Grand Master, and even at the initial stages of that realm, they were incredibly powerful. Yet, Xu Yan had obliterated him with a single palm? Even she couldn't accomplish such a feat.

"Good disciple, your master is starting to have some thoughts about Xu Yan. What should I do?" The Unparalleled Grand Master teased.

The woman in plain clothes jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Master, how old are you? Why are you so shameless? Aren't you embarrassed?"

The Unparalleled Grand Master winked. "Oh ho, little girl, are you jealous? Admit it, you're going through puberty. You even lent him your jade token because you wanted him to return it so you could meet again."

The woman in plain clothes huffed and turned away, pouting.

The Unparalleled Grand Master sighed. "Little girl, that boy is beyond your control. He came to the Unparalleled Pavilion to temper his heart, and I believe his martial path is pure and

Chapter end