Chapter 158: The One Who Killed You is Cao Wunian of the White Bone Gate

Chapter 158: The One Who Killed You is Cao Wunian of the White Bone Gate

The exchange continued.

In the second round, Xiao Chen produced fifty bottles of Blood Piercing Pills, drawing sidelong glances from the crowd once more. These pills, capable of temporarily boosting combat power, were also restricted substances. Like the Iron Bone Pills, they were a newly developed formula deciphered months ago, with no existing stockpiles beforehand. Currently, only three sects—the Spirit Origin Sect, Lihuo Sect, and Sihai Sect—had legitimate sources for them.

The crowd regarded Xiao Chen with growing curiosity and confusion. How had he acquired so many cutting-edge pills?

After finishing the matter, Master Gongliang's hair turned completely white overnight, and he seemed to age decades in an instant. He began gasping for breath, only slightly recovering after a long while.

The surrounding Golden Core cultivators stood frozen like statues, stunned into silence by the devastating news.

After a pause, Lei Yin Zhenren suddenly clenched his fist. Before the two tea-serving apprentices could react, they collapsed to the ground. He then turned to the Spirit Origin Sect Master: "You'll leave now and pretend you heard nothing. Not a single word leaves this hall."

Normally, Luoyan Mountain wouldn't suddenly collapse. The priority now was to suppress the information while urgently identifying the anomaly.

The Sect Master took a few steps toward the door but turned back: "What about Qingyang... Should we send rescue forces?"

Lei Yin Zhenren shook his head: "This matter is too critical for rash actions. Focus only on your duties."

Divination results weren't absolute. This was merely a probabilistic calculation, and variables always existed. Interfering with events might trigger unpredictable changes - whether positive or negative - which would destabilize the situation and render future divinations unreliable. Without accurate foresight, preventing the Divine Flame Cult's invasion would become even more difficult.

Thus, Lei Yin Zhenren's decision was to ignore Qingyang's impending disaster to avoid uncontrollable consequences.

The Sect Master opened his mouth as if to speak, then bowed silently and exited.

Inside the grand hall, the Golden Core cultivators fell into deep contemplation. Outside, when questioned by Yao Dehai and others, the Sect Master feigned indifference: "Handle it according to standard procedures."

The sect wasn't inexperienced in such matters. Soon, danger alerts were dispatched to all outposts, warning local clans that the demonic cultivator involved was extremely dangerous. Foundation Building cultivators below ninth stage were advised against solo operations. A bounty was placed - double merits and points for whoever stopped the Flame Crystal retrieval.

This mobilized Foundation Building peak cultivators and Demon-Slaying Guards to actively hunt the target.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chen had returned to Qingyang Mountain. As he entered the Spirit Mine, he spotted Chang Shunping waiting on the hillside, his round face etched with concern.

"Fellow Cultivator Xiao, you're finally back!" Chang exclaimed. "The Yanhuo Crystals from Heiyan Mountains were stolen this morning. I've confirmed it's White Bone Gate's doing again. Those damned bastards are at it once more."

He recounted the events from eighty years prior. "What if they come here next?"

Xiao Chen reassured him: "No need to worry. I'd be more concerned if they went elsewhere. Frankly, aside from a few Golden Core experts in Hezhou, I fear no one."

Chang hesitated. Secretly, he hoped the demon would target Qingyang rather than other areas, but such thoughts couldn't be voiced. He quickly changed the subject to other recent news.

Suddenly, an aged voice thundered across the valley, amplified by spiritual energy: "Xiao Chen! Come out and die!"

The entire Qingyang Spirit Mine heard clearly. Chang paled: "It's White Bone Gate's cultivator!"

Xiao Chen turned to see a black-robed figure at the mountain's base, five hundred zhang away. Wearing a bamboo hat and holding a bone staff topped with a skull, the enemy was burying Flame Crystals at the foot while shouting: "Don't think you're safe hiding inside the defense formation! These Flame Crystals will reduce Qingyang Mountain to rubble!"

Xiao Chen smirked. The enemy was cautious enough to avoid his formation. While Qingyang had no defense formation, entering directly would trigger his hidden Yellow Wind Quicksand Formation. But had they forgotten he could handle threats without formations?

Chang urged: "Don't fall for their trap! We have signal arrows. Let's hold position until reinforcements arrive."

Xiao Chen waved him off: "No need. Fellow Chang, wait here." He dashed out, confronting the enemy while summoning his Golden Light Pearl and jade ruyi. "Tell your accomplices to stop hiding. All of you can die together."

Surprisingly, the enemy sneered: "I alone am more than enough to kill trash like you." He hurled four porcelain bottles in different directions, releasing thick black smoke that enveloped the area.

This wasn't ordinary smoke but White Bone Gate's secret toxic fumes. Contact with skin would infiltrate meridians, destroying internal energy channels. Even protective auras couldn't resist as the smoke corroded spiritual power itself.

Xiao Chen sighed slightly disappointed: "Just you alone? The Saint Child didn't lie about your sect abandoning you for revenge?"

Cao Wunian chanted: "Fool, prepare to die!" As the smoke engulfed Xiao Chen, he activated his formation.

But Xiao Chen calmly retrieved three Flying Swords from his storage bag. Cao Wunian smirked - arrogance would be his downfall. However, when the smoke cleared, Xiao Chen stood unharmed, activating a Wind-Thunder-Ice Sword Array that trapped Cao Wunian.

Three top-grade magical artifacts unleashed sword qi that severed Cao's left arm. Xiao Chen frowned - this opponent wasn't as strong as the Lv Siblings. He deployed his Murky Water Round Shield and Tasselled Edging Brocade Handkerchief cautiously, expecting reinforcements.

"Death is my rebirth!" Cao screamed, swallowing a Holy Pill that regenerated his limbs with bone. Sword qi barely scratched him now. He absorbed the Yellow Spring Sovereign's phantom, growing to ten feet tall with overwhelming power.

Xiao Chen's eyes widened. Was this guy actually breaking through to Golden Core? Fortunately, the heavenly energy surge lasted only a moment. The transformed Cao charged, shattering Xiao Chen's shield with a single impact.

"Is that all?" Xiao Chen retrieved his artifacts. While Cao's strength had increased, his lost sanity made him predictable. Xiao Chen activated his Golden Light Technique, easily evading attacks. He played cat-and-mouse for a quarter-hour until Cao suddenly regained clarity, only to have his bones disintegrate completely.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end